ndy Murray ended his run of defeats with a straight-sets win over Gael Monfils in a excessive profile opening encounter on the ATP Challenger 175 occasion in Aix-en-Provence.
Murray, ranked 52 on the earth, went into the match and not using a victory on clay this season, and beforehand indicated he would possibly take into account sitting out the French Open.
Defeat to Italian qualifier Andrea Vavassori at the Madrid Masters had equalled the worst run of Murray’s skilled profession, and he hoped for an upturn in fortunes when he entered the Open Aix Provence Credit Agricole.
However, the draw may have been kinder, pairing Murray with former world quantity six Monfils, whom he final met within the quarter-finals at Roland Garros in 2014. The pair first performed one another on the ATP Tour 17 years in the past.
Monfils was additionally trying to rebuild some constant type, having fallen down the rankings to 322nd following a prolonged harm lay-off.
The opening set stayed on serve till Murray broke within the fourth sport for a 3-1 lead. Monfils, although, quickly wiped that out with a fast break again after Murray despatched a return into the web.
Murray saved the stress on Monfils’ subsequent service sport and broke once more following a double fault by the Frenchman earlier than then saving a break-back probability to carry for a 5-2 benefit. The 35-year-old Scot confidently served out to like to take the primary set 6-3 in 44 minutes.
Monfils saved a few break factors at first of the second set, which remained on serve till the fifth sport when a protracted return from him noticed Murray edge 3-2 forward. Monfils was damaged once more within the seventh sport, sending a backcourt return into the web.
Murray claimed a primary match level probability, once more holding to like, to finish his victory in a single hour and 22 minutes, and he'll face Laurent Lokoli within the second spherical after the Frenchman got here from behind to beat world quantity 60 Albert Ramos-Vinolas 3-6 6-4 7-5.
Additional reporting by PA Sport.
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