Andy Murray beats Dominic Thiem to reach round two in Madrid

Andy Murray beat 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem comfortably to reach the second round of the Madrid Open.

In his first match on clay since August 2020, the impressive Briton won the high-profile first round match 6-3 6-4.

Former world number three Thiem is continuing his own comeback after eight months out with a wrist injury but Murray proved the far stronger player.

They embraced at the end as Murray told Thiem: “Keep going. It takes a lot of time but you’ll be fine.”

He added: “I hope you feel better soon mate. Great to see you back.”

The 34-year-old, who has had his own well-documented injury troubles, is the fourth British man into the second round after Cameron Norrie joined Dan Evans and wildcard Jack Draper in progressing earlier.

Murray achieved a break in either set with Austrian Thiem struggling with his forehand in particular.

Thiem, now ranked 91st in the world, was playing his fourth match of the year, having begun his comeback in March, but remains without a win.

Murray had planned to skip the clay-court season but reversed his decision last month when accepting a wildcard for Madrid.

“I have hardly played on it [clay] for the last five years really,” Murray said. “I did four weeks training so felt more comfortable than I usually do.

“I played well. I thought Dominic was playing well at times but he has obviously just started playing again as well.”

Murray will next play Canada’s 14th seed Denis Shapovalov, who beat him at Wimbledon last year.

BBC