Andy Murray broke in the first and last games of the deciding set to dismiss Denis Shapovalov 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3, winning his 500th hardcourt match and reaching the second round of the ATP Dubai event.
The former No. 1. watched in the player box by father Willie, fought for two and a half hours to finally go through at the event he won in 2017.
Murray maintained a perfect 8-0 mark in Dubai first-round matches as he competes here for only the second time since his title seven years ago; his 2008 victim was eight time tournament winner Roger Federer.
The victory was only Murray’s second of the season after ending a six-match loss streak by winning a round last week in Doha before losing to Czech teen Jakub Mensik.
“Not bad,” the No. 67 said after learning of his latest record. “Hard court has been a great surface for me over the years
“But that’s still a lot of matches, I’m very proud of that.”
Shapovalov, who missed half of last season with a knee injury, fired 15 aces and 44 winners in his losing effort.
“We’ve both not had too many matches this season,” Murray said. “These court are some of the fastest on the Tour and he was serving unbelievably well.
“You have to get the balance right between reacting to his shots and trying to put the ball into the court.
“It was not easy but I managed to get it done in the end.”
Murray will next play the winner from a French showdown between gael Monfils and fifth seed Ugo Humbert.
Dubai’s Aviation Club venue is familiar territory for Murray.
“I did my off season training here in December and had a family holiday a few weeks ago.
“I’m just glad to get through another first round.”
