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Andy Murray Indian Wells 2021
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Andy Murray luck tempered as he draws in-form qualifier in Paris


While Andy Murray has managed to avoid the biggest names in opening his Paris campaign, he does take on an ever-improving youngster first. 

After facing third seed Hubert Hurkacz in his first round match at the Vienna Open, the Brit may have been slightly relieved to draw a qualifier or lucky loser for the final Masters event of the season.

However, following the conclusion of qualification for the event, Murray will now face world number 56 Jenson Brooksby. The 20-year-old American is having a breakout season in 2021.

After clinching three ATP Challenger titles by May, Brooksby reached his first ATP tour level final at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island in July.

The American also defeated compatriot Taylor Fritz and Russian Aslan Karatsev to reach the fourth round of the US Open.

In the opening set of his encounter with world number one Novak Djokovic, Brooksby ran away 6-1 before losing to the eventual finalist in four sets.

So, while Murray avoids a seed in his opening match, Brooksby is by no means a very favourable draw.

The victor between Murray and Brooksby will face either qualifier Gianluca Mager or ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Murray has played Auger-Aliassime once before. He lost in straight sets to the Canadian at the 2020 US Open in the second round.

Meanwhile, Brooksby has himself faced Auger-Aliassime once before. He won their encounter in Washington DC earlier this month, 6-3, 6-4.

Should Murray defeat Brooksby he would gain 45 ranking points, pushing him up from 144th to potentially as high as 130th in the rankings come the end of the event.


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