Andy Murray on Monday vowed to lift his fitness and improve upon a comeback season after advancing at the pre-US Open Cincinnati Masters.
The Scot was tested as he matched it in the Midwest against fellow veteran and treble Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka, whom he outlasted in three hours 7-6(3), 5-7, 7-5.
After two hip surgeries and a long-running fight for fitness, Murray is hoping to gain some consistency in his game for the remainder of 2022.
“I hope I can get to that level again where I’m consistently getting to the latter stages of events, and therefore, we will be able to plan and schedule my tournaments better,” he said after lining up in the second round against compatriot Cam Norrie.
“Physically I felt pretty good for the last few months, but in a lot of the tournaments I’ve lost in the second round.
“I’ve not had that opportunity to have a really good tournament and then maybe take a break and rest.”
The finalist at Sydney and Stuttgart this season added: “There have been some good moments this year, but it’s not been easy these last few years to stay fit and healthy and play enough tennis to build confidence, get robust enough to compete week in, week out.
“It’s positive that I got to play more matches this year. Hopefully I can continue that through the end of the season.”
