Home hero Murray makes winning start
- Source: Global Times
- [22:37 November 23 2009]
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Andy Murray serves during his match against Juan Martin del Potro in London Sunday. Photo: AFP
British No. 1 Andy Murray kicked off his bid to win the ATP World Tour Finals on home turf with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory over US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in London Sunday.
"I don't think there's any more pressure on me. It's different to Wimbledon," Murray said.
Murray gave the 17,500 fans at the 02 Arena exactly what they wanted as the Scot produced a gutsy display to hold off world No. 5 Del Potro in the end-of-year event's opening match.
The 22-year-old world No. 4 has won six ATP Tour titles in the last 12 months, more than any of his rivals, and the battling nature of this Group A success against Del Potro showed his game is maturing nicely.
Murray admitted he was relieved to find a way to subdue the big-hitting Argentine.
"He didn't start well, but from five-love in the first set I thought the standard was very good. Obviously I'm happy I managed to come back in the third, because he was playing well," Murray said.
Murray produced a blistering forehand down the line to break Del Potro in the second game.
Del Potro took an injury timeout for treatment on a nose bleed at the end of the third game but still looked out of sorts as Murray moved into a 5-0 lead.
