MIAMI, Mar 22 (AFP): Two-time Miami Open champion Andy Murray fought back for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over struggling Italian Matteo Berrettini in the first round at Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday.
Berrettini needed medical attention near the end of the second set after appearing to almost faint on court but he battled on.
The Italian recently returned to the tour after an injury-plagued 2023, reaching the final of a Challenger event in Phoenix.
He broke Murray's serve in the first game of the match and was in firm control of the opening set.
But he faded badly in the second and called a medical time-out when 5-2 down after walking off the court looking dizzy.
In the WTA event, four-time grand slam-winner Naomi Osaka had little trouble in defeating Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3, 6-4 in one hour, 18 minutes to move into the second round.
Osaka is ranked 229th in the world after taking a break after having a child and spending over a year out of the game and is returning to the scene of her run to the final in 2022 where lost to Iga Swiatek in the final.
Osaka said her performance was the best since she returned to the tour at Brisbane in January.
"Honestly, this is probably the most free that I was able hit my balls, the closest to the feeling that I want to capture going forward, so I would say that this is probably my best match in terms of shot-making....I was swinging the best that I have since I have been back," she said.
American Sloane Stephens beat Angelique Kerber 6-2, 6-3 in a meeting of two former grand slam champions.
Stephens, celebrating her 31st birthday, was on top throughout against the German who had shown good form in Indian Wells where she reached the fourth round.
Murray beats dizzy Berrettini, Stephens, Osaka advance
FE Team | Published: March 22, 2024 23:47:27
Murray beats dizzy Berrettini, Stephens, Osaka advance
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