Andy Murray breaks new ground as he continues comeback

Scot to continue his comeback on the grass courts at Eastbourne as Wimbledon fortnight looms

Andy Murray will continue his comeback from injury at the Nature Valley International at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, next week.

After his first round loss to Nick Kyrgios at Queen’s Club on Tuesday, his first competitive outing in almost a year, the former world No 1 is clearly feeling better than anyone could have hoped.

He was tired at the end of that match and he would have been stiff and sore the following day, but if he and his physios think he is up to the task of another tournament then he has made significant progress.

“I’m looking forward to getting some more time on the grass courts at Eastbourne this week,” he said yesterday. “I played Davis Cup there in 2006 and I know the courts and facilities there are excellent. It was good to get back to competition at Queen’s this week, and I’m hoping to build on that next week at Devonshire Park.”

Nothing is set in stone for Murray but, if he comes through his spell in Eastbourne unscathed, his chances of being ready for Wimbledon will look considerably brighter.

Meanwhile, Nick Kyrgios’ bombardment of aces has fired him into the semi-finals at Queen’s. He sent 32 aces down to see off defending champion Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/3), in the Fever-tree Championships yesterday, matching his personal best from 24 hours earlier against Kyle Edmund.

He won 80 per cent of points on first serve, the fastest of which came down at more than 140mph.

Kyrgios is likely to need all that firepower from the service line again if he is to win his semi-final against Marin Cilic, the top seed, who beat 2010 champion Sam Querrey 7-6 (7/3), 6-2.

Novak Djokovic claimed his 800th career win – only the tenth man in the open era to do so – in defeating Adrian Mannarino 7-5, 6-1 to set up a last-four meeting with Jeremy Chardy, who saw off Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-4.