GENEVA (AP) — Needing a win to face Novak Djokovic next at the Geneva Open, Andy Murray was saved by a heavy rainstorm when he trailed unseeded Yannick Hanfmann 7-5, 4-1 in a first-round match on Monday.
Murray and top-ranked Djokovic both got wild cards to enter the last clay-court event to prepare for the French Open, and were drawn to meet in the second round. They have not faced each other on tour since February 2017.
Ranked No. 75, Murray began to struggle in his first tour match in two months when heavy rain and strong winds swept across the stadium court in a lakeside park.
The 85th-ranked Hanfmann broke Murray’s service twice in a row to lead 4-1 with his service game to come when play was suspended.
In the opening set, Murray found some big serves to get out of trouble in the ninth game when he saved two break points.
It was just a respite, as Murray was broken to love in his next service game, sealed by a Hanfmann forehand service return winner.
California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind
Reserve Bank holds OCR at 5.5 percent
Watch live: Millions across North America await total solar eclipse
Russia hits vast dam in war's largest strike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Kyiv says
Jon Wysocki dead at 53: Staind drummer passes away
Tourism in Brazil up 7.8% in 2023
Japanese PM to US lawmakers: US does not have to confront global challenges alone
DOC job cuts plan: Tourism, backcountry huts, flora and fauna at risk, groups say
Georgia Republicans choose Amy Kremer, organizer of pro
Evergrande's bankruptcy may be just the beginning of China's real estate crisis
Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf is spotted on the streets of Gavin and Stacey's hometown Barry
Teenagers named as victims of Nelson off