Andy Murray on Wednesday launched his 16th appearance at the Indian Wells Masters with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of qualifier David Goffin.
Britain’s 2009 finalist in the California desert took 80 minutes to produce a satisfying win to improve to 8-0 against the former top-10 Belgian.
Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion who said in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, last month that he is unlikely to keep playing beyond this season, swept the final 10 points of the opening set and went up a double break for 5-2 before polishing off the win.
Photo: AP
“I was striking the ball well from the back of the court, it was a solid performance,” said the 36-year-old, ranked 61st. “This could be the best I’ve ever served here. I’ve struggled serving here for at least 10 years. Today felt much better.”
The Scot said that he has always had his troubles at the desert venue, trying various preparation strategies with limited success.
“I’ve tried everything here — I’ve arrived later, I’ve come a week early to get used to conditions and then lost in the first round, but conditions seem different this year,” he said. “The balls are quicker and the court seems a bit smaller at the back.”
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who benefits from a first-round bye, learned the name of his first opponent when Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi beat Frenchman Luca van Assche 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3).
Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner is to start his tournament against Thanasi Kokkinakis after the Australian defeated Marcus Giron 6-3, 7-5.
In the women’s singles, tennis mother Angelique Kerber, a finalist five years ago, booked a second-round match with a fellow Grand Slam champion.
The 36-year-old German with three titles at the majors beat her first top-100 opponent since returning from maternity leave as she defeated Petra Martic 6-3, 6-4.
Kerber next takes on 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.
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