CINCINNATI BID
Murray targets singles return at Masters event
Andy Murray has revealed that he could return to singles action by playing at the Cincinnati Masters next month.
The former world no 1 has not competed in singles since he lost in the first round at the australian Open in January to Spain’s roberto Bautista agut before undergoing hip resurfacing surgery in an attempt to save his career.
Murray returned to action in doubles in June when he partnered Feliciano Lopez at Queen’s Club, where they won the title.
The 32-year-old Scot played with Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the men’s doubles at Wimbledon, exiting in round two, and teamed up with 23-times Grand Slam winner Serena Williams in the mixed at SW19, losing in the third round.
Murray, who is competing with brother Jamie in the doubles at the Citi Open in Washington this week, had previously claimed it was ‘pretty unlikely’ he would return to singles at the uS Open in new york in august.
But the three-time Grand Slam champion now admits an earlierthan-expected appearance on the hard courts in Cincinnati, where the action begins on august 11, could be possible. ‘Best-case scenario probably would be Cincinnati,’ said Murray.
‘Then, if I wasn’t able to play in Cincinnati, there’s a good chance I would probably wait until after new york because I wouldn’t want my first tournament to be playing best of five (sets).’
after this week’s tournament in Washington, Murray is due to play with Lopez in the doubles at the rodgers Cup in Montreal, starting on august 5.
‘For the most part, I’m going to practise singles and play doubles to compete and then each week I’m just going to see,’ added Murray. ‘In terms of how I’m moving and feeling and pulling up the next day from these practices, I’m happy with where I’m at. I think I’m quite close.
‘If I keep on progressing and feel good in three weeks’ time, then I’ll play singles as soon as I’m ready.
‘It’s just to get to where I want to get to. I’ll need to play matches and get a little bit more work done in the gym on my cardio.’