Andy Murray made it back to back wins at the Miami Open as he defeated world No 30 Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 to reach the third round.
After flopping against the Argentine at the Australian Open earlier this year, 36-year-old Murray produced a quite brilliant performance to exact revenge against the 29th seed.
Two-time Miami Open champion Murray saved all seven break points he faced to notch his first Top 50 win since Toronto last August. It is also the first time he has posted consecutive wins at an event since the same tournament.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The Scot shows he’s still got it after saving set point in stunning fashion
Murray resumed his second-round clash with the score tied at 3-3 in the first set as severe downpours in Florida wreaked havoc on the schedule on Friday.
The former world No 1 whitewashed his opponent to win the opening set tie-break before breaking for a 4-2 lead in the next.
At 5-3, the 36-year-old saved three break points with some clutch tennis before sealing his biggest win of the year on his first match point.
Murray will face Czech youngster Tomas Machac, who beat Russian world No 6 Andrey Rublev, in the next round.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Murray warmed up in the parking lot of the Hard Rock Stadium ahead of his clash
Tale of the Tape
Fellow Briton Jack Draper’s challenge was ended by Nicolas Jarry, however.
Jarry, the world No 23 from Chile, beat the 22-year-old 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 7-6 (7-2) in a match lasting three hours and 33 minutes.
Draper was left heart-broken after squandering two match points when leading 5-4, 40-15 in the third.
Jannik Sinner was made to wait overnight for the chance to seal an opening win.
The second seed ensured it was worth the wait when he breezed past Andrea Vavassori 6-3 6-4, completing an 80-minute victory against his countryman to reach the third round.
Now 14-3 in Miami, the two-time finalist Sinner will take on Tallon Griekspoor next after the Dutchman recovered after squandering two match points in the second-set tie-break to edge American Alex Michelsen 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (7-9) 6-4.
The top four-ranked American men, led by 12th seed Taylor Fritz, all crashed out.
Joining Fritz were 13th seed Tommy Paul and 21st-seeded Frances Tiafoe to leave No 16 Ben Shelton as the highest-ranked home grown hope.
Defending champion Daniil Medvedev began the defence of his title in style with a 6-4 6-2 victory over Marton Fucsovics.
American fifth seed Jessica Pegula moved into the third round when an ailing Zhu Lin retired trailing 6-4 4-1.
Next up for Pegula is Canadian Leylah Fernandez who converted all six of her break chances in a 6-4 6-2 win over Colombian Emiliana Arango
How to watch play on Sky Sports Tennis
The stars of tennis will appear on the new Sky Sports Tennis channel every day
Sky Sports has confirmed a new home for tennis in the UK and Ireland, with Sky Sports Tennis on Sky and NOW, making tennis content available all day, every day for fans.
Sky Sports will broadcast more live tennis than anywhere else, bringing over 4,000 matches from more than 80 tournaments a year on the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as full coverage of the US Open, all exclusively live.
Non-Sky subscribers can stream live matches with a NOW Sports Day and Month Membership, via Sky Sports Tennis, Sky Sports Arena, and Sky Sports Mix channels.
For further access, fans will also be able to follow their favourite players and gain deeper insights from both Tours via Sky Sports News, the Sky Sports app, on SkySports.com and via Sky Sports social channels.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Find out all the ways to watch tennis on Sky Sports, including the US Open, ATP and WTA tours
Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp!
You can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest breaking sports news, analysis, in-depth features and videos from our dedicated WhatsApp channel!
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
