‘I can compete at the top level,’ says Andy Murray after impressive victory in Stockholm

Andy Murray vowed that he can compete at the top level after beating top seed Jannik Sinner at the Stockholm Open on Wednesday.

The former world number one said he went back to ‘playing his own game’ as he recorded one of his best victories since undergoing hip surgery.

The Brit, who came into the contest after a disappointing display at the Paris Masters, beat the Italian 7-6(4), 6-3 to book his place in the third round.

“I did well tonight,” said Murray. “On my serve I made him work very hard for every point. My variety was pretty good, I returned better as the match went on and overall it was a good solid performance and something that’s been missing a bit recently. It’s a good win.

“I played my game, the game style that works for me. At times in the last year I’ve got away from that a little bit. Partly outside influences at times but also a feeling that I would need to change the way that I play.

“In important moments I’ve rushed or tried to finish points a little bit too early and maybe gone against what my instincts are.

“If I’d been more clinical and made better decisions and played the right tennis, being smart, I would have finished matches sooner, and that preserves your body. Even a few weeks ago I may have lost that first set.

“I’m playing at the top level and I’m winning matches against the top players in the world, and the ones that I’m losing I’m pushing the best players in the world. So that argument is finished. I can compete at the top level.

“But when I originally came back I doubted that. It’s been difficult at times to build that confidence with not getting the matches consistently, or winning enough of the big matches.