Murray to face tough Kyrgios in comeback
Andy Murray is hoping Nick Kyrgios’ “unpredictable” nature means there will not be too many draining points as he prepares to make his comeback against the Australian.
The two-time Wimbledon champion decided yesterday that he will end an 11-month injury absence at the Queen’s Club next week, but would be forgiven for wishing he had not after immediately drawing Kyrgios in round one.
Kyrgios is a supreme talent, though prone to losing his way on court. Murray has never lost to him in five meetings, yet surely would not have picked him as his first opponent following hip surgery.
“He’s always a tough guy to play against,” said the Scot.
“He’s got a brilliant serve and obviously he’s very, very talented. He’s unpredictable as well. The positive is that there probably won’t be loads of long points.
“Points can be quite sharp with him, which is good, but obviously a very tricky match with the way that he plays and how comfortable he is on the grass.”
Murray has not been seen competitively since limping out of his Wimbledon defence last summer.
Hip surgery followed and the 31- year- old finally feels ready to return.
Murray played with fellow Brit Cameron Norrie in a relaxed session on Friday but will have a real step up in opposition when he sees Kyrgios over the net.
“I’ve been practising the last couple of weeks and obviously building up each day. I started playing sets about a week ago,” Murray added.
“So, I played probably seven or eight sets, and I wanted to feel how I felt the following day after playing a couple of sets with Cam Norrie yesterday.
“I got tested by my physios this morning to make sure I hadn’t stiffened up and lost any range of motion in my hip which can happen when you’re tired and the hip’s a bit angry.
“That wasn’t the case. That was all positive and I pulled up pretty well from that, so I decided to go for it.”
Meanwhile, former British No. 2 Dan Evans came from behind yesterday to beat Marcel Granollers 4-6 6-2 6-3 to book his place in today’s final of the ATP Challenger Tour Nature Valley Open in Nottingham.
The 28-year-old who is continuing his return from a drugs ban and has been handed a wildcard entry for the Fever- Tree Championships at Queen’s Club next week, will face Alex de Minaur in today’s final after the Australian saw off Ilya Ivashka of Belarus 6-2 6-4 in the other semi.
In the ladies’ semi-finals Britain’s Johanna Konta beat Donna Vekic of Croatia 6- 2 6- 3 and will face Australia’s Ashleigh Barty in today’s singles final.