Murray looking to kick-start new year with win over qualifier Durasovic in Sydney

Andy Murray will hope to get his first victory of 2022 today when he takes on Norwegian qualifier Viktor Durasovic at the Sydney International.

Murray was due to face the world number 345 today, at about 8am. The duo met last year in Stockholm, with Murray winning 6-1 7-6.

If the Scot is victorious, he will take on second seed Nikoloz Basilashvili, of Georgia, the 29-year-old world number 23, in the second round.

Fellow Brit Dan Evans is the third seed and has a bye to the second round, where he will face the winner of Alexi Popyrin, of Australia, and Pedro Martinez, of Spain.

Belgian David Goffin claimed his first win on the ATP Tour in eight months by overcoming Facundo Bagnis in straight sets at the tournament.

Goffin endured an injuryplagued 2021, ending his season after the US Open in September due to a knee complaint. However, the world number 45 moved into the second round in Sydney by defeating Argentina's Bagnis 6-4 6-4.

Eighth-seed Goffin, whose most recent victory was against Italy’s Salvatore Caruso at the Internazionali BNL d'italia in Rome last May, will take on either Argentina's Federico Delbonis, or Spain’s Albert Ramos-vinolas next.

Fifth seed Lorenzo Sonego bounced back from losing the first set to France’s Hugo Gaston, with the Italian moving into the last-16 courtesy of a battling 3-6 6-3 7-5 victory.

Compatriot Fabio Fognini, seeded seventh, was given relatively few problems in a 6-3 7-5 win over Germany’s lucky loser Daniel Altmaier, while Australian wild card Jordan Thompson thrashed America’s Marcos Giron 6-4 6-2.