Osaka wins in Miami return; Murray also advances

On the 21st of March 2024 at 12:19 AM.

In Miami Gardens, Florida, Andy Murray won a long game against Matteo Berrettini. Berrettini seemed exhausted and had to use his racket to keep himself upright during Murray's 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win on Wednesday at the Miami Open.

Berrettini played his debut ATP Tour match of the season and Murray was ahead 5-2 during the second set. Suddenly, Berrettini appeared dizzy and had to lean on his racket to support himself. A medical expert arrived and examined his blood pressure. After the quick check-up, the match resumed.

Berrettini exited the court following his loss in the set but managed to complete the match, which lasted for a duration of 2 hours and 49 minutes.

In the first round of the 2023 Australian Open, Murray played a match that lasted over 4 and a half hours. He won with a score of 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (10-6). Later on, there was a rematch.

Murray expressed his satisfaction with his victory, noting that although he began the match slowly, he gradually improved and performed well from the end of the first set until the very end. He had many openings which his opponent struggled to keep up with towards the end of the second set and beginning of the third. Murray was able to take advantage of this and quickly gained momentum in the third set, which helped him successfully serve out the match.

Berrettini has been dealing with injuries and has not participated in a tour match since he was compelled to give up during the second round of the US Open in 2020. Nonetheless, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist made his comeback last week and even made it to the final of a Challenger tour competition held in Phoenix.

At 36 years old, Murray has triumphed twice in Miami and has matched the accomplishments of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as the sole active players with 30 victories at this tournament. This three-time Grand Slam champion has progressed to the next round, where he will be facing Tomas Martin Etcheverry, the No. 29 seed.

Naomi Osaka, who has won the US Open twice, triumphed over Elisabetta Cocciaretto with a score of 6-3, 6-4 in her comeback match in Miami. The competitor who came in second place to Iga Swiatek during her last event in 2022 moves ahead to the next round where she will face off against Elina Svitolina, the fifteenth seed.

On another part of the opening day of the competition, Sloane Stephens marked her 31st birthday with a triumph over Angelique Kerber with a score of 6-2 and 6-3 in a contest between previous female champions of the US Open. Additionally, Donna Vekic survived after a close win over Karolina Pliskova with a score of 6-4, 2-6, and 6-2; and American players Danielle Collins and Shelby Rogers progressed to the next round by winning their matches in three sets.

The male champions of the competition were Denis Shapovalov and Martin Damm Jr. Denis Shapovalov defeated Luciano Darderi with a score of 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-4. On the other hand, Martin Damm Jr. managed to outlast Zhang Zhizhen from China with scores of 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3).

Aryna Sabalenka who is ranked number 2 amongst the players got a rest pass for the first round. However, she is slated to compete with Paula Badosa on Friday in her opening match.