Tough comeback for Murray
LONDON: Britain’s former world No 1 Andy Murray will make his return from hip surgery at the Queen’s Club tournament next week, where he will face Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in the first round.
Organisers announced his inclusion yesterday before the draw for the tournament, which has the strongest lineup in its 128year history with 15 of the world’s top 30 taking part.
Murray, who has been sidelined for almost a year since losing in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon last July, came through a practice session in London on Saturday.
The Scot, who is a fivetime champion at Queen’s but has slipped to No 157 in the rankings, has been handed the toughest of all comebacks, against world No 24 Kyrgios, who is a fine grasscourt player.
Murray has missed the last three Grand Slam events and had a hip operation in Australia on January 8.
Meanwhile, Roger Federer will be back as world No 1 in the new rankings this week after coming from behind to beat Kyrgios 67(2), 62, 76(5) in the semifinals of the ATP Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart.
The 36yearold Swiss was due to play Canada’s Milos Raonic in this morning’s final as he seeks a 98th tourlevel title.
Federer, who has won 15 successive matches on grass since being beaten in his opening match in Stuttgart last June, knew he had to win yesterday to knock Rafael Nadal off the top of the rankings.
He will begin a recordextending 310th week at the top today, his third stint at No 1 this year as he and his old Spanish rival Nadal vie for supremacy. — Reuters