Staff Reporter.
Two-time Miami Open champion Andy Murray fought back for a 4-6 6-3 6-4 win over struggling Italian Matteo Berrettini on Wednesday.
Berrettini needed medical attention near the end of the second set after appearing to almost faint on court but he battled on.
The Italian recently returned to the tour after an injury-plagued 2023, reaching the final of a Challenger event in Phoenix.
He broke Murray’s serve in the first game of the match and was in firm control of the opening set.
But he faded badly in the second and called a medical time-out when 5-2 down after walking off the court looking dizzy.
The weather in Miami was not particularly hot or humid and more pleasantly mild than has often been the case at the tournament in past year.The 27-year-old former world No 6, put up a better fight in the third, but a solid looking Murray saw the match out in two hours and 47 minutes.
Murray, who won the Miami Open in 2009 and 2013 will meet 29th seeded Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the next round.
“I think in terms of the way I played and the important moments in that match, I did a good job,” Murray told Laura Robson after his win.
“I was down 0-40 near the end when it was 3-2, and I also created a lot of chances to go up a double break as well and hadn’t got it, stayed tough there and played some good points.
“I moved well, and dictated a lot of the match, which isn’t easy against him. Once I got the balance right against him, I felt like I dictated a lot of the points.
“I played a smart match when I needed to.
“I’m very different on the tennis court, I’m not a robot, I’m a bit odd, a bit strange, but I play better when I’m like that.”