Andy Murray is into the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships after battling to down world number 158 Christopher O’Connell.
As has been the case in many of his recent matches, Murray played out an extended encounter with the Aussie as the duo played for nearly three hours on centre court before the Brit triumphed 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 7-5.
The win comes nearly five years on from the last time the 34-year-old played the event when he claimed his only title in the city as then world number one.
“I mean, I enjoyed the result,” Murray responded honestly when asked if he had fun during the match.
“What went on in the middle, not so easy.”
And Murray showed glimpses of his world-beating form today, such as this brilliant fight to best O’Connell late in the second set.
