METZ – Andy Murray, the former world number one, rallied from a set down and 3-3 in the second set to defeat sixth-seeded Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the first round of the Moselle Open in Metz on Tuesday.
In two hours and 24 minutes, the Scot, 34, won seven straight games his route to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 comeback victory.
Murray stated, “I had some opportunities early in the first set that I didn’t take, then he got his break opportunity at the end of the first set and hit a really brilliant return.”
“At 5-4, he had a good hold. In the first and second sets, he performed slightly better, and in the second and third sets, it was the other way around. When he had his chances, he didn’t do well, so I took advantage of them.
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a surprise Murray, who is making his first appearance in Metz since losing in the 2007 final to Tommy Robredo, will face Vasek Pospisil of Canada in the second round.
“It’s been difficult for me in recent years because I don’t know some of the players very well, and it’s difficult to play against them and win. Today, I thought I had a strong game plan and was able to carry it out fairly well.”
In other matches, seventh seed Karen Khachanov defeated French qualifier Alexandre Muller 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, and will face the winner of the match between German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk and French lucky loser Antoine Hoang.
Khachanov, who lost to Alexander Zverev in the gold medal final at the Tokyo Olympics, is aiming to finish in the top 30 of the ATP Rankings for the fourth year in a row.
Marcos Giron of the United States advanced to the second round after defeating Arthur Rinderknech of France 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4. He will face fourth-seeded Australian Alex de Minaur.Meanwhile, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain defeated three-time former champion Gilles Simon 6-7(4), 7-6(2), 6-2 and will now face Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili, who is seeded seventh.
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