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The 34-year-old Murray had hip surgery in 2018 and 2019. Since
his breaks for injury, the British player has not been able to
revive the old form and consistency that saw him win three major
singles titles.
Murray, ranked 143rd, secured his first win over a top 10 player
in 14 months when he beat Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in the opening
round of the Vienna Open last month.
"I'm convinced I can play ... well, I can. I'm playing at the
top level and I'm winning matches against the best players in
the world," Murray told reporters after taking down top-seeded
Sinner, ranked 10th, 7-6(4) 6-3.
"The ones that I'm losing, I'm pushing the best players in the
world. That argument is finished. I can compete at the top
level."
The 20-year-old Sinner is one of the most promising young
talents in men's tennis and he made Murray work hard for the
victory in the second round.
"It was a very tough match. He hits the ball huge from the back
of the court so there were a lot of long rallies and a lot of
running. But it's probably my best win this season. I want to
keep it going now," Murray said.
"If I want to move back up the rankings and have good runs in
tournaments again, I need to win these matches."
American Tommy Paul, ranked 52nd, will be Murray's next opponent
and a victory will see the Briton reach his first tour-level
semi-final in two years.
"I said in the last few weeks, it's coming," he said.
"I don't know if it will be this week or the beginning of next
year, but I'm going to be pushing and getting deep in
tournaments again."
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; editing by Robert
Birsel)
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