National Bank Open: Andy Murray Triumph Over Italian Lorenzo Sonego to reach second round 

Andy Murray picked up a second successive win this year against Lorenzo Sonego in a round of 64 clash at the National Bank Open on Tuesday night.

The former British and World No. 1 defeated his Italian opponent Lorenzo Sonego 7-6(3), 6-0 and enter into the next round after a difficult first set battle.

“It really wasn’t pleasant to play in,” said Murray of the conditions after his win. “It was really blustery, changing direction during the point, and we knew coming in it was going to feel uncomfortable. We hit on this court this morning and it was really breezy.

“So I was expecting it but it still adds a bit of stress to the match and it was a really tight first set. There were lots of opportinties each way, I managed to sneak through the tie-break and after that he was obviously a bit disappointed, and I relaxed a little bit.”

After going past the Italian for the second time in 2023, the 36-year-old Murray will now face Australian Max Purcell in the round of 32.

The three-time National Bank Open champion also leapfrogged the Italian into 38th with his two-hour, nine-minute victory.

Other action, two-time ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev made a good start to his tournament with a 6-4, 7-6(3) victory over in-form Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.

The German will next face Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who eased past American J.J. Wolf 6-0, 6-2 on Monday. Zverev leads the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head 3-0 and has not lost a set to Davidovich Fokina.