Miami Tournament | Andy Murray defeats Matteo Berrettini in first round

(Miami) Andy Murray won another long match against Matteo Berrettini, this time in three sets of 4-6, 6-3 and 6-4 in the first round of the Miami tennis tournament on Wednesday.

Berrettini (142^e) played a first match on the ATP circuit this season. He was in service with Murray (62^e) up 5-2 in the second set when he appeared to be dizzy, placing his racket on the court to keep his balance. He was visited by a doctor who checked his blood pressure before returning to play.

The Italian left the court after the round, but was able to complete the match, which lasted 2 hours 49 minutes.

It was the first match between the two men since Murray’s 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (6) victory in the first round of the International Open. Australia, in 2023.

“It was obviously a great win for me,” Murray said. I started off a little slow, but found that I played pretty well from the end of the first set until the end of the match.

“I created a lot of opportunities and he struggled towards the end of the second and the beginning of the third. I took the opportunity to initiate [la troisième] in strength and I served well until the end. »

Hampered by injuries, Berrettini had not played on the ATP circuit since he was forced to retire in the second round of the United States Open last year.

The 2021 Wimbledon finalist made a return to action last week and reached the final of the Phoenix Challenger.

The 36-year-old Murray has won the Miami tournament twice and joined Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic with 30 victories in Miami among active players. The three-time Grand Slam tournament champion will cross swords with the Argentinian Tomas Etcheverry (29^e) in the second round.

Among the women, the American Sloane Stephens (41^e) defeated the German Angelique Kerber (342^e) 6-2 and 6-3, in a duel between two US Open champions.

Naomi Osaka (229^e), titled twice at the major American tournament, defeated the Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto (51^e) 6-3 and 6-4 on his return to Miami. She now has an appointment with the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (15^e).

The Croatian Donna Vekic (34^e) defeated the Czech Karolina Pliskova (46^e) 6-4, 2-6 and 6-2. The Americans Danielle Collins (53^e) and Shelby Rogers (325^e) also advanced to the third round with wins in three sets.