Murray beats ailing Berrettini to
reach Miami second round
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[March 21, 2024]
By Steve Keating
MIAMI (Reuters) - Andy Murray outlasted an ailing Matteo Berrettini
4-6 6-3 6-4 on Wednesday to move into the second round of the Miami
Open where he will again try to do something he has not done this
season -- win two consecutive matches.
After starting the campaign losing the opening contest in his first
four tournaments, including the Australian Open, the three-times
Grand Slam winner has now advanced to the second round in his last
four events but each time was unable to clear the next hurdle.
The victory added another small milestone to the 36-year-old
Scotsman's career as he became the third active player with 30 wins
at the event, behind only Novak Djokovic (44) and Rafa Nadal (40).
"It was obviously a great win for me," said Murray, who wrote the
message, 'Life in the old dog yet :)' on the courtside TV camera
lens after his match.
"I started off a little bit slow, but I do think I played pretty
well from the middle of the first set until the end of the match."
Murray got off to a sluggish start against Berrettini, who looked
sharp and energised in a dominant opening set despite seeing his
first tour-level action since the U.S. Open following an injury
layoff.
The momentum took a dramatic shift in the second set, however, as
the 27-year-old Italian began to struggle while Murray found his
rhythm to power ahead 5-2.
Berrettini's next service game saw the Italian double over and
stumble as he appeared close to fainting. The tournament doctor
quickly arrived and play was delayed for four minutes while
Berrettini received treatment and had his blood pressure checked.
When action resumed Berrettini held serve before Murray served out
the set to level the match, with the Italian leaving the court
during the changeover for more checks.
Sensing an opening, Murray pounced and broke Berrettini at the first
opportunity to get in front 2-0.
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![](../images/032124PIX/sports44.jpg)
Mar 20, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Andy Murray (GBR) hits a
backhand against Matteo Berrettini (ITA) (not pictured) on day three
of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff
Burke-USA TODAY Sports
![](../images/ads/current/graue_lda_4_2021.png)
Murray, twice a champion in Miami, would need that
break as Berrettini battled on gamely, holding serve the rest of way
but unable to convert any of his three break chances in the final
set.
Murray sealed victory with a backhand winner down the line, which
was immediately followed by a defiant fist pump.
"I created a lot of opportunities and he was struggling for a little
bit at the end of the second and beginning of the third," said
Murray, who next faces Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
"I capitalised on that and got off to a quick start in the third. I
served it out well in the end."
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Miami; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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