Securing his spot in the second round, three-time Toronto champion Andy Murray clinched a hard-fought victory against Lorenzo Sonego. This matchup marked their first encounter since the memorable first-round clash at the Qatar Open in February, where Murray triumphed after saving three match points. Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans, who returned to the court following his Citi Open victory, both faced eliminations from the tournament.
Andy Murray is through to the second round in Toronto after a 7-6(3) 6-0 win over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.
Murray made less unforced errors than his opponent, 17 compared to Sonego’s 44, and showed all his grit to secure a straight-sets victory in two hours and eight minutes.
Murray will play either home favourite Felix Auger-Aliassime or Australia’s Max Purcell in the second round.
“It really wasn’t pleasant to play in,” said Murray of the windy conditions after his win.
“It was really blustery, changing direction during the point, and we knew coming in it was going to feel uncomfortable. We hit on this court this morning and it was really breezy.
“So I was expecting it but it still adds a bit of stress to the match and it was a really tight first set. There were lots of opportunities each way, I managed to sneak through the tie-break and after that he was obviously a bit disappointed, and I relaxed a little bit.”
Victory smile 😁
Super display from @andy_murray who gets past Sonego 7-6(3), 6-0!@NBOtoronto | #NBO23 pic.twitter.com/zIpqgiuXsC
— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 8, 2023
Both players made numerous unforced errors in the first set – Sonego committed 30 while Murray made 15 – but it was the Scot who took the opening set on the tie-break after an hour and 24 minutes in the wind.
Murray rescued two set points at 5-4 down before the pair went to a tie-break. Sonego won the first two points, but Murray responded by winning the next six and sealed it on his second set point.
After a hard-fought opening game in the second set which Murray won, the former world No. 1 went a break up after a backhand lob from Sonego went into the tramlines.
Murray consolidated his lead on his serve before sealing a double break when Sonego smashed what should have been a winner into the net.
Another unforced error from Sonego which saw him hit a cross-court forehand wide handed Murray match point on his serve.
A brilliant rally on the match point ended with Sonego striking a backhand into the net to seal Murray’s place in the next round.
Murray is the only remaining British player after the country’s number one ranked player, Cameron Norrie, and Dan Evans crashed out of the tournament.
Norrie was defeated 7-5 6-4 by Australia’s Alex de Minaur.
At 5-3 up in the first set, Norrie failed to convert a set point before going on to lose his serve with a double fault after struggling with his ball toss in strong winds.
Norrie did save two match points in the second set, but De Minaur took his third opportunity to progress.
Speaking about their battle with the weather, De Minaur said: “It was definitely not easy conditions out here. It was blowing a gale, it didn’t make for pretty tennis.
“So I think we both struggled a bit out here today, but I’m happy I was able to get the win over an incredible opponent.”
Norrie has not won a match since the first round at Wimbledon.
DIALLO DID THAT 🇨🇦
Gabriel Diallo gets his first @atptour win over Citi Open champion Daniel Evans 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/yJXrqH63h8
— National Bank Open (@NBOtoronto) August 9, 2023
Evans was back in action fresh from winning the first ATP 500 title of his career at the Citi Open in Washington.
However, he could not keep his winning run going as he fell to a 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 defeat against Canadian wildcard Gabriel Diallo.
It was a first tour win for the imposing 21-year-old, who stands at 6’8”.
