(Reuters) – Andy Murray outlasted familiar foe Stan Wawrinka 7-6(3) 5-7 7-5 in their first-round clash at the Cincinnati Open on Monday, the last big test before the U.S. Open.
In the 22nd meeting between the Grand Slam champions, neither could make inroads against the other’s serve in the first set until a Wawrinka double fault in the tiebreak opened the door for Murray.
The Scot took full advantage and captured the first set when the Swiss sent a forehand long.
In the second set, a broken racket string led Murray to shank a shot that handed set points to Wawrinka, who converted on his first opportunity to level the match.
Murray, 35, and Wawrinka, 37, both needed visits from physiotherapists in the third set, which Murray claimed when he ripped a return winner on his fourth match point.
Murray is now 13-9 against fellow three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka.
Next up for the Scot is an all-British battle with ninth seed Cameron Norrie, who beat Holger Rune 7-6(5) 4-6 6-4 in a hard-fought battle.
Croatian Marin Cilic’s resurgent season continued with a routine 6-3 6-3 win over Jaume Munar and Argentine Diego Schwartzman found his form late to beat Alex Molcan 5-7 6-4 6-2.
American John Isner, Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori and Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut also advanced to the second round of the Masters 1000 tournament.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Ken Ferris)
