Matteo Berrettini struggled in moderate heat at the Miami Masters as he went down on Wednesday 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to Andy Murray in the first round.
The Italian who returned only last week after a six-month injury absence from the Tour, almost passed out at the end of the second set when he had to lean on his racquet on serve to keep from falling over.
The former Wimbledon finalist was seen at the sidelines by a doctor but regained his strength to play on to the loss in two and three-quarter hours.
Murray, a two-time champion here, reached the second round for a fourth consecutive tournament after losing his first four matches of this season.
The Scot won in rather ordinary 25 Celsius conditions against an opponent still lacking in match fitness.
Murray saved three break points for a 4-2 lead in the deciding set, wrapping up victory four games later on his first match point.
“It was a great win for me,” Murray said. “I started slow but played pretty well from the middle of the first set until the end.
“I was able to create opportunities and he struggled a bit; I thought i finished off the match well.”
Berrettini ended with 44 unforced errors but saved nine of the 11 break points he faced to remain without a win in Miami.
Main photo:- Andy Murray beating Matteo Berrettini in Miami – by ATPTour.com
