SHENZHEN, September 25, 2018

The first round of the Shenzhen Open marked the sixth event and 10th match of Andy Murray’s comeback from right hip surgery. Since returning in June, the former World No. 1 withdrew from Wimbledon, declined a wild card from Toronto and did not play his quarterfinal in Washington following three straight three-set wins.

On Tuesday, the 31-year-old Briton began his Asian swing with a 6-3, 6-7(3), 4-2 win over Chinese wild card entry Zhizhen Zhan, who was forced to retire after two hours and 23 minutes due to cramping.

“I felt he played very well after the first set,” Murray said. “I just managed to fight hard, stay tough in the beginning of the third set and unfortunately for him, the cramps started. It was very difficult conditions.”

Murray, who lifted the trophy in Shenzhen at the inaugural edition four years ago, will next take on top seed David Goffin of Belgium.