Andy Murray Victorious In 2017 Opener, Ups Win Streak To 25; Tsonga Finally Healthy Again

Andy Murray came out hot in 2017, blitzing Jeremy Chardy in the first round at Doha today 6-0, 7-6. The victory extended Murray’s career-best with streak to 25.

“Obviously I would like to try and keep the run going as long as possible,” Murray said of the streak. “Does feel a little bit like starting fresh again after the off-season and having not played a match for pretty much a month or month and a half or so.

“Just try and carry on from where I finished last year, which was playing some of the best tennis of my life. You know, I learnt a lot in that run, in that period at the end of the year. So try and use that to get off to a start this year.”

Murray moves on to face Gerald Melzer tomorrow in the second round.

“I’ve seen him play a few times,” Murray said of Jurgen’s brother. “I’ve never played against him before. I saw him play a little bit few years ago in Munich. He reached the quarters, and the winner of my match in the quarters played the winner of his match in the semis.

“I’ve seen him play in Vienna. My coach is out there watching his match today. I don’t know him really well, but I have seen him play a couple times.”

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was also winner defeated Andrey Kuznetsov in three. After knee and groin injuries last year, Tsonga is happy to be healthy again.

“I’m feeling good now,” Tsonga said. “To be honest, 2016 was long. I’m finally healthy. It’s good. It’s good because I feel like I can play 100% every day. I can practice consistently. For me, it’s something new, so I will, yeah, enjoy it and try to stay healthy and try to rise my level.”

Tomas Berdych was also a winner on Tuesday. Tomorrow, defending champion Novak Djokovic is back in action against Horacio Zeballos.

WEDNESDAY DOHA SCHEDULE
CENTRE COURT start 3:30 pm
F. Verdasco (ESP) vs [4] D. Goffin (BEL)
H. Zeballos (ARG) vs [2] N. Djokovic (SRB)
[1] A. Murray (GBR) vs G. Melzer (AUT)
D. Brown (GER) vs [5] J. Tsonga (FRA)