Murray will get 2023 grasscourt season off to profitable begin in Surbiton
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ndy Murray opted to forego the French Open to give attention to his grasscourt ambitions this summer season.
Quite whether or not that pays off stays to be seen however, on the proof of his first match on grass, the omens are initially good.
Having opted to take a wildcard into the low-key Surbiton Trophy relatively than make solely his second look at Roland Garros in six years, Murray was posed with a probably robust opener in Chung Hyeon.
But he served nicely, moved nicely and repeatedly broke his South Korean opponent’s serve for a snug 6-3, 6-2 victory watched from the stands by doubles specialist Jonny O’Mara, who he has just added to his coaching team.
There was just one second of concern within the match when he fell over an promoting hoarding however his motion didn’t appear to be impacted within the aftermath.
Murray has repeatedly stated that he believes he can put collectively a prolonged run at Wimbledon this yr in an unlikely quest for a 3rd title at SW19.
There can be infinitely more durable challenges than that of Chung however the 27-year-old is not any slouch. A former NextGen title winner, he reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open earlier than a again damage sustained in 2020. This is barely his third event since his return.
Murray is not any stranger to damage woes however there seemed to be no sick results at present with at the least Queen’s and Wimbledon to observe on the grass ought to he keep match.
He broke twice within the opening set, which he closed out with three consecutive aces. He then broke his opponent within the opening sport of the second set and was capable of dictate the course of the match from that time onwards. A second break of the set ensued in sport seven, from which he served out the match to like.