Murray warms up with Rooney ahead of possible Edmund clash

ANDY Murray could tackle Kyle Edmund at this week’s Citi Open in Washington — where Wayne Rooney has paid the Scot a visit.

The Edmund clash will happen if former Wimbledon champion Murray comes through his opening test. Edmund, who has replaced Murray as British number one, receives a bye to round two.

Murray has been drawn to face American Mackenzie McDonald in the first round as he steps up his recovery from hip surgery.

It will be Murray’s first tournament since deciding not to play at Wimbledon.

He took part in the Queen’s Club and Eastbourne events earlier in the grass-court season, losing to Edmund at the latter, but a reunion is on the cards on the hard courts of the US capital providing Murray overcomes a player who reached the fourth round of Wimbledon.

That was 23-year-old McDonald’s best grand slam performance.

Murray has been warming up for his return in the company of former England football captain Rooney, who joined him on court for a lighthearted session.

Rooney is now Washington-based after leaving Everton to join DC United this summer.

He demonstrated his racket skills before joining in a game of foot tennis, with Jamie Murray also getting in on the action.

“He’s obviously had an incredible career, one of the best players ever in English football history,” said Murray on atpworldtour. com. “It’s nice to finally meet him. I’ve never met him before, so it’s very cool.”

British number two Cameron Norrie has crashed out of the Atlanta Open after losing to America’s Ryan Harrison in the semi-finals.

Norrie had seemed on track to booking his place in the tournament final, having cruised to a one-set lead after less than half an hour on court.

But a single break of serve in the sixth game of the second set was all it took for Harrison to pull level. The American then went on to break twice in the decider to clinch a 2-6 6-3 6-2 victory after an hour and 44 minutes.