Returning Andy Murray, who is attempting a return to the highest level after long months of absence, qualified 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 for the round of 16 of the Cincinnati Masters 1000, at the expense of the German Alexander Zverev (N.7), Monday at Flushing Meadows. Winner of the Cincinnati tournament in 2008 and 2011, the Briton has since fallen to 129th place in the world, after two hip operations in January 2018 and then in January 2019, before a bruise on the pelvic bone prevented him to take part at the start of the suspended season in March. But his solid performance against Zverev bodes well for a brighter future. Murray, who surprised his opponent by winning the first set, then entered the ranks and while the third seemed to confirm this trend, it was Zverev who cracked his service by committing four double faults. The 33-year-old Scotsman also released a superb forehand at the end of the race to offer himself two match points, converting the first, synonymous with his first victory against a Top 10 since May 2017 (Kei Nishikori at Roland Garros). Murray will face Canadian Milos Raonic in the next round. The Austrian Dominic Thiem, seeded N.2, for his part was eliminated as soon as he entered the running, in the second round of the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati, sharply beaten 6-2, 6-1 by the Serbian Filip Krajinovic, Monday . Thiem, supposed to be Novak Djokovic’s main rival at the US Open which is due to start next Monday, has started his preparation badly. Never in the game, he could only win two points on the service games of his opponent, 32nd player in the world, very happy to sign the second victory of his career over a player of the Top 10. Krajinovic will challenge the Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in the round of 16
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