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.
Scenery of Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark in NE China's Heilongjiang
New bibliography catalogs about 8,600 antique Traditional Chinese Medicine books
Country lifestyle attracts people to village
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
Shaolin Kung Fu competition enthralls martial arts enthusiasts in Oceania
Traditional Ewenki handicrafts hot souvenirs amid thriving winter tourism
China eases past Myanmar to reach last 16 in Asiad men's football event
Strictly star Giovanni Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling
Chinese judoka Guo collects bronze on opening day of Hangzhou Asiad
Britain's new bonkers EV: Callum Skye is an £80k electric buggy built in Warwickshire
30 days to go, anticipation for impending Hangzhou Asian Games runs high across Asia