Andy Murray is into the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open after beating the world number 16 Denis Shapovalov 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 in two hours and eight minutes.
The Scot finished with 16 winners and three aces while the Toronto native finished with 32 unforced errors.
The first three games of the match went on serve and at 2-1 Murray had two chances to break. Converting at the second time of asking after a poorly timed double fault by the Canadian.
The world number 16 pushed back the following game and had a chance to break to go back on serve but was denied by the 34-year-old who was able to consolidate the break.
Murray continued to go on the offensive and turned his break into a double break lead and served out the first set in 35 minutes.
The first four games of the second set went on serve again with the Scot looking for the break but at 3-2 the Canadian finally struck and earned his first break of serve and it was enough to serve out the second set.
The third set again was a battle and after five games again it was the world number 78 with the crucial break of serve and that was enough for him to serve out the match and get the win.
Murray’s win sets up a mouth watering third round match with the world number one Novak Djokovic who earlier in the day managed to beat the Frenchman Gael Monfils in straight sets.
“In theory I should have no chance in the match. He’s obviously No. 1 in the world [and] I’m playing with a metal hip, so I shouldn’t have a chance in the match,” Murray said afterwards in his post-match interview. “It’s a great opportunity for me to see where my game’s at and to play against him again.
“We’ve had so many great battles over the years in some of the biggest tournaments in the world. We played in the final I think of all four Grand Slams, we played here in the final, and I haven’t had that opportunity to play against him for a long time. Didn’t know if I ever would get that chance, so I’ll enjoy it, I’ll have a fantastic attitude in the match, give it my best and see where I’m at.”
The Serb currently leads their head to head 25-11 and their most recent meeting was way back in 2017 when they met in the Middle East in Qatar with Djokovic winning in three tight sets.
