Andy Murray beat Federico Delbonis 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 at Hard Rock Stadium to set up a blockbuster match against world number 2 Danil Medvedev.
Both players held on their service games in the first game, which did not feature a break point, nor a single duece game.
The first nine points of the tie-break went on serve. Murray won four consecutive points from 3-4 down to win the tie-break 7-4. Murray won a long rally, when Delbonis hit the net, and sealed the opening set, when Delbonis made his fourth double fault.
Murray earned an immediate break at the start of the second set and came back from 0-30 to hold serve for 2-0. The British player broke in the fifth game for 5-1. The earned the match point with a lob winner in the seventh game. He sealed the win with his third break with a forehand return winner down the line on the match point.
“Both of us served very well in the first set. I just managed to catch a really good return there at 5-4 in the tie-break, a really deep return and managed to get that point. He double faulted on the set point and that was the key to the match right there”, said Murray.
Medvedev beat Murray in their only previous head-to-head match in Brisbane in 2019.
“It will be a big challenge for me. It will be a great test. I have got a big training block after this tournament and it will be a really good test for where my game is at and things I need to work on as well against him. I am looking forward to that”, said Murray.
Tommy Paul knocked out Benjamin Bonzi 6-4 6-4 setting up a second round match against Karen Khachanov.
Miomir Khachanov beat US qualifier Jack Sock 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 to reach the second round, where he will face Felix Auger Aliassime.
Arthur Rinderknech overcame Laslo Djere 6-2 7-6 (8-6) to set up a second round match against defending Miami Open chmapion Hubert Hurkacz.
