Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis – Men’s Doubles – Round 2 – Ariake Tennis Park – Tokyo, Japan – July 27, 2021. Andy Murray reacts during his Men’s Doubles second round match REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis – Men’s Doubles – Round 2 – Ariake Tennis Park – Tokyo, Japan – July 27, 2021. Andy Murray reacts during his Men’s Doubles second round match REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray got off to a winning start at the Cincinnati Open 2021. He upset World No.66 Richard Gasquet in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 52 minutes.
While it is good news in the Murray box, things do not look pleasing for the Frenchman. Apparently, Gasquet was defending his 2019 semifinals points in Cincinnati and will drop all of them. As a result, he will fall below the ATP Top 80 Rankings for the first time in 11 years.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Gasquet, who didn't play a lot of tennis in the first six months of the season but has been playing well recently (final in Umag), will drop to outside the top 80 for the first time in 11 years.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 17, 2021
Although Gasquet put on a good fight, the Scot came up with a undefeatable plan and executed it thoroughly. In essence, Murray served well and got one crucial break in each set to confirm his place in the second round.
Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – First Round – Melbourne Arena, Melbourne, Australia, January 14, 2019. Britain’s Andy Murray reacts during the match against Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson – UP1EF1E0M8MLI
Read More: Andy Roddick Reveals a Roger Federer Trait He Wants His Son to Have
Andy Murray stuns Richard Gasquet in Cincinnati opener
From the first swing of the match, Murray took complete control of the match’s tempo. Indeed, it was a surprise to see him moving freely on the court and picking his shots.
On the other side of the court, the former World No.7 had hefty ranking points to defend against Murray. And although he played exceptionally good tennis, Gasquet could not cross the edge of the line. Interestingly, the Brit completed his 2019 revenge over the Frenchman.
2019 Cincinnati R1: Gasquet d. Murray 6-4 6-4
2021 Cincinnati R1: Murray d. Gasquet 6-4 6-4In a repeat of his first match post-resurfacing surgery, @andy_murray gets it done in straights!#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/o7rb1OyfWr
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 17, 2021
Consequently, Murray booked only his fifth ATP main draw win of the 2021 season. As per the draw, he would go on to meet either Hubert Hurkacz or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the second round.
For Gasquet, it is time to relook at the strategy going into big tournaments. Since the US Open 2021 is less than two weeks away, he would want to try and restore his loss there.
Watch this story: Five Most Shocking Moments at the Tokyo Olympics 2020
What are Murray’s chances in Cincinnati Open 2021?
Given the absence of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, the player’s field is open for favorites in Cincinnati. However, the challenge is still alive for each contestant to continue their form and take home the Western and Southern Open title.
Getty
Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts during his Men’s Singles first round match against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan on Day Two of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 1, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
As for Murray, the challenge would be to retain his momentum throughout the event. But above all, he would be eyeing a strong buildup going into the US Open 2021.
Unquestionably, a matchup against the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alexander Zverev would give Murray the much-need understanding of where his game. But for that, he would need to keep going as he went against Gasquet in the opening round.
Do you think Murray can go deep in Cincinnati?
Also Read: “Had a Tear in My Quad”: Andy Murray Details His Tokyo Olympics Injury at Cincinnati Open 2021
