Andy Murray started what is expected to be his final appearance at the BNP Paribas Open with a comfortable performance and a straightforward victory, defeating David Goffin 6-3, 6-2 on Day 1.
Goffin failed to present Murray with a single break point opportunity as the three-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1 player, now ranked No. 61, won three of his service games. Murray stormed ahead from 3-all to take the final three games and 10 points of the first set on a gloomy afternoon with winds gusting up to 10 mph (15 kph). Also read: Andrey Rublev, Daniil Medvedev Advance To Dubai Semifinals
That later gave way to heavy rain, causing a significant delay in the evening. The seven-time major champion, who had not played since a first-round loss at the US Open in late August, played only two games against Nao Hibino before the match ended at 1-1.
Murray, the runner-up at Indian Wells in 2009, told reporters this month that he plans to retire before the end of the season, stating, “I don’t plan on playing much past this summer.” Murray, 36, began Wednesday with a 2-6 record this year.
He advanced to the second round, where he will face No. 5 Andrey Rublev, who was disqualified from a match last week for yelling at a line judge. Also read: Taro Daniel Net Worth 2024, Annual Income, Endorsements, Cars, Houses, Properties, Charities, Etc
On the hard courts in California, wild-card entrant Brandon Nakashima defeated 2023 Wimbledon quarterfinalist Chris Eubanks 6-3, 7-6 (3), while Thanasi Kokkinakis and Christopher O’Connell also advanced. Three-time major champion Angelique Kerber, who has returned to the circuit after having a mother, won the women’s draw, as did Tatjana Maria and Marie Bouzkova.
Paula Badosa, the 2021 Indian Wells winner who gained a wild card into this year’s field, withdrew due to a long-term back injury, just one day after playing an exhibition doubles match with boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas. Also read: Facundo Bagnis Reached QFs after defeating Roberto Baena