Gasquet beats Murray in 1st round of Cincinati Open

Speed Post News Network

Patna : Two-time former Wimbledon Champion Andy Murray’s return to playing singles after a gap of almost 7 months ended in a first round defeat to World No 56 Richard Gasquet, 33, in ATP Cincinati Masters 1,000 at Ohio, USA, on August 13, 2019, early morning. Gasquet beat Murray, 32, the World No 324 who had won Wimbledon singles title in 2013 & 2016 and US Open title in 2012, 6-4, 6-4 in 96 minutes to advance to the 2nd round of the Hard Courts event.

Both Murray and Gasquet served 4 Aces each in the match. But, Gasquet, who had reached US Open SFs in 2013 and Wimbledon SFs in 2007 & 2015, won 3 break points in the match to 1 by Murray. His winning percentage both on his first and second serve ( 81 % 7 & 61 %) was much higher than that of Murray ( 76% & 45 %). Both the players won 3 games each in a row in the match. Gasquet, who has won 15 career titles, won 46 service points to 34 by Murray, who has won 45 career titles. Murray is reigning Olympic champion. Gasquet will play World No 4 Dominic Thiem, 25, Austria, in the 2nd round.

World No 27 Nick Kyrgios, 24, Australia, beat World No 47 Lorenzo Sonego, 24, Italy, 7-5, 6-4 in 79 minutes to enter the 2nd round. Lorenzo fired 6 Aces in the match to 4 by Kyrgios, who had recently won City Open, Washington, title. Kyrgios won 2 break points to none by Lorenzo. The Australian also won 3 games in a row in the match. He won 46 service points to 42 by the Italian. Kyrgios will face World No 9 Karen Khachanov in the 2nd round.

World No 53 Pablo Carreno Busta, 28, Spain, beat World No 35 Gilles Simon, 34, France,  7-5, 7-6 to enter the 2nd round.  Busta will face World No 16 John Isner, 34, USA, in the 2nd round.

World No Juan Ignacio Londero, 25, Argentina, upset World No 26 Matteo Berrettini, 23, Italy, 7-6, 6-3 in the first round. Londero will face World No 3 Roger Federer, 38, Switzerland, in the 2nd round on August 14, 2019.