‘I’d forgotten what that felt like’: Andy Murray claims first straight-sets victory this YEAR as he advances to the third round at Indian Wells after beating Radu Albot 6-4 6-3… setting up a Battle of Britain against Jack Draper
- Andy Murray beat Radu Albot 6-4 6-3 to claim his first straight-sets win of 2023
- Murray advances to face fellow Brit Jack Draper in the third round in California
- Emma Raducanu progressed too, saying she ‘feels better’ after tonsillitis bout
Former world number one Andy Murray eased into the third round at Indian Wells with his first straight-sets victory this year.
The Scot beat Moldova’s Radu Albot, who was trying to claim his 100th tour-level win, 6-4 6-3 in one hour and 42 minutes.
Murray had just 18 unforced errors to 35 for Albot, and never faced a break point on his serve while firing six aces.
Having won in straight sets for the first time since October, Murray tweeted: ‘I’d forgotten what that felt like. Bosh.’
The win set the Briton up to take on compatriot Jack Draper after the 21-year-old beat 24th seed Dan Evans 6-4 6-2.
Andy Murray secured a place in the third round at Indian Wells with a 6-4 6-3 win vs Radu Albot
It was the Brit’s first straight-sets win of 2023 with Murray winning in one hour and 42 minutes
Albot came into the tie hoping to secure his 100th tour-level win at the ATP Masters event
Draper has lost just eight games through his first two matches of his Indian Wells debut.
Murray said: ‘He obviously plays really well. He’s not actually competed that much on the tour but, when he has done, he’s always performed really well. I think he’s going to be a top, top player for a long time, providing he stays healthy. It will be a good match.’
There was more glory for Britain in the women’s draw with Emma Raducanu – the 2021 US Open champion – beating 20th seed Magda Linette 7-6 (3) 6-2.
Linette, who reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, is the highest-ranked player Raducanu has beaten since her run to the title in New York and she played sharp, aggressive tennis after falling 1-4 behind in the opening set.
The 20-year-old continues to be dogged by physical problems and arrived in California struggling with wrist pain and the after effects of a bout of tonsillitis.
Raducanu sought treatment for her right wrist during the first set, and said afterwards: ‘It’s manageable. I’m still able to win matches at this level. I’m feeling better than I was the other day. I would say I wasn’t at 100 per cent, but better.
Murray will now face fellow Brit Jack Draper who beat 24th seed Dan Evans 6-4 6-2
Emma Raducanu also advances to the next round despite playing through a wrist injury
Iga Swiatek defeated Claire Liu 6-0 6-1 in 65 minutes to win her opening match on Saturday
‘I’m enjoying competing again. I think this feeling of competition definitely beats being sick or injured or out. So I’m really just cherishing every time I get to step out on the match court.’
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek routed Claire Liu in 65 minutes to win her opening match on Saturday.
Swiatek, the defending champion who took over the number one ranking nearly a year ago, won 6-0 6-1.
Carlos Alcaraz, the second-ranked men’s player, defeated qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3 6-3, Taylor Fritz, the defending men’s champion, rallied past Ben Shelton 4-6 6-4 6-3, while Jannik Sinner defeated Richard Gasquet 6-3 7-6 (2).
