Former world # 1 Andy Murray (now 172 Atp) beat Frances Tiafoe (# 48) 7-6 (2), 6-7 (7), 7-6 (8) in a marathon three hours and 45 minutes in the first round of the ATP 250 in Antwerp.
"I've never played a match like this," said the Brit at the end of the longest best-of-three match of 2021 (over 3 hours and 38 minutes played by Nadal and Tsitsipas in the Barcelona final in April).
The 34-year-old, who underwent a career-threatening hip surgery two years ago, will face Diego Schwartzman, second-seeded Belgium and number 14 in the world, in the second round.
Murray also praised his compatriot Cameron Norrie, fresh winner of the Indian Wells ATP 1000. "I think he's a great example not just for British players, but for all tennis players," Murray said. "I knew - he added - that he was good, I had played against him and I had trained with him, but to be among the top 20 in the world and to aspire to a place in the Finals is incredible". In the ATP race ranking to access the Finals in Turin, Norrie (now 10 / o) overtook Jannik Sinner (11 / o). The South Tyrolean in Antwerp benefits from a bye in the first round and will challenge the 19 year old Tuscan Lorenzo Musetti who overtook Gianluca Mager 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3).
Among the blues, Camila Giorgi (# 36 Wta), engaged in the newborn 250 in Tenerife, overtook Aliona Bolsova (# 178) in three sets for 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-4 and will challenge Danka Kovinic (# 74) in the second round.