Former world number one Andy Murray recovered from a slow start to beat Argentine qualifier Juan Ignacio Londero 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the Shanghai Masters opening round on Monday.
Murray, who is competing in Shanghai for the first time since his title run in 2016, improved after being broken twice in the opening set by Londero.
The three-time Grand Slam champion claimed the second set after converting break points in Londero’s first and last service games, before switching gears to take control of the match in the decider.
Murray sealed a crucial service break in the sixth game with a booming forehand winner and went on to set up a second round meeting with 10th-seeded Italian Fabio Fognini.
The Scot is looking to build his form on the Asian swing this season after undergoing career-saving hip surgery in January.
He worked his way to a first quarter-final appearance of the season in Beijing last week, where he lost to eventual winner Dominic Thiem.
“I got better as the match went on - I had to start going for my shots a bit more,” said the 32-year-old Murray, who was awarded a wildcard entry to the tournament.
Canadian youngster Denis Shapovalov dropped two points on his first-serve as he eased past American Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-2.
Shapovalov will next face newly-crowned Tokyo champion Novak Djokovic, who has won their previous two meetings this season.
Kvitova qualifies for WTA Finals in Shenzhen
World number seven Petra Kvitova has become the sixth player to qualify for the season-ending WTA Finals in Shenzhen, the WTA said on Monday.
The 29-year-old Czech, who won the title on her debut in 2011, will join Ash Barty, Karolina Pliskova, Simona Halep, Bianca Andreescu and Naomi Osaka at the Oct. 27-Nov. 3 tournament, which offers $14 million in prize money.
“I’m so happy to qualify,” Kvitova, who won titles in Sydney and Stuttgart and finished runner-up at the Australian Open this year, said in a statement.
“After a great start to the year in Australia I’m really proud to have secured my spot for the seventh time. This will be the third city I have visited for the WTA Finals so I’m excited to see what’s in store in Shenzhen.”
The top eight singles players face off in a round-robin format at the WTA Finals, with the winner taking home the Billie Jean King Trophy.
