Murray Wins Dubai Opener, Wawrinka Out; Federer Returns Wednesday
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Andy Murray cruised in his Dubai opener Tuesday dominating Tunisian Malek Jaziri 6-4, 6-1.
“Obviously the second set was obviously a bit easier. First set, especially the beginning, was tough,” Murray said. “I have never hit with him or played against him before. It took a little bit of time to get used to his game. But I played better as the match went on.
“The only thing I didn’t do well was the first serve. I didn’t hit my first serve that well. I’m not sure exactly why. Maybe, you know, first match under the lights, haven’t practiced in those conditions since I have been here. The second serve was very good. The rest went well.”
Murray moves on to face Guillermo Garcia-Lopez later today. He’s beaten the Spaniard in two of three meetings falling at Indian Wells in 2012 in their most recent meeting.
“I don’t know exactly how many times we have played. I just remember I lost to him once in Indian Wells, you know, when I was feeling great, from what I remember,” he said. ”
“I think it was like 3 and 2, or I remember it being a pretty easy match for him,” he added. “I will need to be ready for that one, and I hope I play a good one.”
Defending champion Stan Wawrinka was bounced by Damir Dzumhur 7-6, 6-3.
“Not that good. Not good enough,” Wawrinka said of his play. “I think I start well, but it was tough match a little bit between missing a little bit something to push a little bit more to be a little bit more active. I think after coming back one month out, I had to recover from the injury.
“I think I was missing a little bit something. Physically I was a little bit slow sometimes, so I couldn’t hit that hard from the baseline to push him back. I think I was a little bit too early in defense.”
Tomas Berdych, Lucas Pouille and Fernando Verdasco were also winners.
Today, 7-time champion Roger Federer returns to take on Evgeny Donskoy. Gael Monfils is also on court against Dan Evans.
WEDNESDAY DUBAI SCHEDULE
CENTRE COURT start 2:00 pm
[6] [WC] R. Bautista Agut (ESP) vs F. Verdasco (ESP)
D. Evans (GBR) vs [4] G. Monfils (FRA)
Not Before 7:00 pm
[1] A. Murray (GBR) vs G. Garcia-Lopez (ESP)
[3] R. Federer (SUI) vs [Q] E. Donskoy (RUS)
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