ROTTERDAM/STARNBERG, March 1, 2021
Andy Murray has returned to Rotterdam as a wild card and seeking his second title at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament after defeating Rafael Nadal in the 2009 final. The World No. 123 from Great Britain rallied from a set down to overcome local favourite Robin Haase 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-3 on Monday evening at Rotterdam Ahoy.
Murray converted three of his seven break-point opportunities and won four points more than his opponent to advance in two hours and 29 minutes.
Muzza mentality 💪@andy_murray gets his first win of 2021, defeating Haase from 3-0 down in the decider in the @abnamrowtt first round! pic.twitter.com/thkKQZplMd
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 1, 2021
“I found a way and actually at the end started to play a bit better. From the mental side and the physical side was positive. I thought I moved pretty well,” Murray said. “I played for two-and-a-half hours and my hips and groin and stuff felt good, so that was positive. But from a tennis side it was average at best.”
Murray, who lost his first match on the ATP Tour since October last year in the opening round of last week’s Open Sud de France in Montpellier, will next take on the winner of the match between US-American qualifier Marcos Giron and No. 4 seed Andrey Rublev of Russia.
Earlier in the day, British qualifier Cameron Norrie eased past Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia 6-0, 6-3 in 63 minutes. The World No. 65 awaits the winner of the encounter between No. 8 seed and 2015 Rotterdam champion Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland and Russia’s Karen Khachanov.
Nishikori with strong start
Kei Nishikori broke a four-match losing streak with a 7-6(4), 6-1 win over Canadian young gun and No. 7 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime. The 31-year-old from Japan withstood seven aces and broke his opponent’s serve two times to prevail after one hour and 38 minutes.
“It was a very tight game, he was serving great especially in the first set and he won a lot on first serve,” said Nishikori. “I played solidly in the tie-break and served well on the last couple of points. It was easier in the second set, with his injury, but I was more comfortable and striking the ball better.”
Up next for Nishikori will be an Australian, either Alex de Minaur of Matthew Ebden.
RESULTS – MARCH 01, 2021
Men’s Singles – First Round
K. Nishikori (JPN) d [7] F. Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 76(4) 61
[Q] M. Fucsovics (HUN) d R. Opelka (USA) 76(2) 67(4) 76(4)
[WC] A. Murray (GBR) d [WC] R. Haase (NED) 26 76(2) 63
[Q] C. Norrie (GBR) d N. Basilashvili (GEO) 60 63
Men’s Doubles – First Round
K. Khachanov (RUS) / A. Rublev (RUS) d D. Lajovic (SRB) / S. Wawrinka (SUI) 61 36 10-2
J. Chardy (FRA) / F. Martin (FRA) d [Q] S. Arends (NED) / D. Pel (NED) 64 64
ORDER OF PLAY – TUESDAY, MARCH 02, 2021
CENTRE COURT start 11:00 am
A. de Minaur (AUS) vs J. Millman (AUS)
Not Before 12:30 pm
[Q] M. Giron (USA) vs [4] A. Rublev (RUS)
Not Before 2:30 pm
[8] S. Wawrinka (SUI) vs K. Khachanov (RUS)
Possible Court Change – [WC] R. Haase (NED) / M. Middelkoop (NED) vs [2] N. Mektic (CRO) / M. Pavic (CRO)
Not Before 7:30 pm
[SE] E. Gerasimov (BLR) vs [2] S. Tsitsipas (GRE)
B. Coric (CRO) vs [WC] B. Van de Zandschulp (NED)
COURT 1 start 11:00 am
[PR] B. McLachlan (JPN) / K. Nishikori (JPN) vs [3] W. Koolhof (NED) / L. Kubot (POL)
Not Before 12:30 pm
H. Hurkacz (POL) vs A. Mannarino (FRA)
[Q] J. Chardy (FRA) vs U. Humbert (FRA)
After Suitable Rest – P. Herbert (FRA) / J. Struff (GER) vs F. Auger-Aliassime (CAN) / H. Hurkacz (POL)
Not Before 7:00 pm
[4] M. Melo (BRA) / J. Rojer (NED) vs K. Krawietz (GER) / H. Tecau (ROU)
