- Scot into second round after 6-3, 6-2 victory
- Win was only Murray’s second since August
Three long years have passed since Andy Murray last competed in a grass court singles match in front of a loving home crowd and in that time, innumerable obstacles have formed in the way of his modest goals of continuing to play the sport he loves. And so on Tuesday afternoon, as he took a rare positive step forward at the Queen’s Club by defeating Benoît Paire of France 6-3, 6-2 to reach the second round, the emotion that followed was long overdue.
After just his second ATP win since August, Murray was asked in his on-court interview how it felt to be competing again. “I love playing tennis,” he said. Then he choked up, apologising as the emotion took hold. “Obviously competing is why you put in the hard work. The last few years I’ve not gotten to do it as much as I like. It’s great that I’m out here and competing again.”
Related: ‘I can still compete with the best’: Andy Murray upbeat for Queen’s Club return
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