Andy Murray wins season opener at ATP Challenger Biella event after Australian Open withdrawal

Updated 09/02/2021 at 18:35 GMT

Murray downed Maximilian Marterer in three sets at the ATP Challenger in Biella, a considerably different setting from where he had hoped to be: the Australian Open in Melbourne. Murray missed the opening Grand Slam of the season after testing positive for Covid-19.

Andy Murray | ATP Challenger Biella

Image credit: Getty Images

Andy Murray kicked off his 2021 season with a triumphant return to the court – although not in the event he was originally hoping to feature.

The former world number one had intended to compete at the Australian Open, but tested positive for Covid-19 before flying out to Melbourne.

Murray was unable to find a “workable quarantine” that would have allowed him to play in the season’s opening Grand Slam, with players forced to stay in a hotel for a fortnight before competition.

Tennis

Murray steps up rehab with return to court in Wimbledon fitness race

19/04/2024 at 13:06

Instead, he is appearing at a second-tier ATP Challenger event in Biella, Italy.

The three-time Grand Slam champion fought back to beat German Maximilian Marterer in the last 32, coming through 6-7(3) 6-2 6-3.

Murray, the top seed, faces Gian Marco Moroni in the second round.

Tennis

Murray will not have surgery on ankle injury, return date unknown

15/04/2024 at 20:14

Tennis

‘Unbelievable fighter’ Murray can ‘go out on top’ at Olympics - Wilander

05/04/2024 at 13:00

ATP Monte Carlo

When is the Monte Carlo Masters? Are Djokovic and Nadal playing?

03/04/2024 at 09:07

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me