ATP Challenger Surbiton: Andy Murray starts the grass season with a clear victory over Rodionov
Andy Murray got off to a strong start in his personal 2022 grass season: the Scot clearly defeated Jurij Rodionov in straight sets at Surbiton's ATP Challenger event on Tuesday.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: May 30, 2022, 06:27 pm
The contrast could hardly be stronger: while the Stade Roland Garros is working on red ashes, a small but fine part of the ATP entourage is already on fresh green. Namely in Surbiton, where the 2022 grass season will start at Challenger level in a tranquil setting.
Also present: quite prominent names. Including Andy Murray, who won two of his three Grand Slam titles on grass - specifically in Wimbledon. And for whom the lawn season is particularly important in the autumn of his career. So high that the Scotsman quickly decided against competing at the French Open and decided to start at Surbiton's ATP Challenger event.
Murray doesn't give Rodionov a chance
The former world number one made a solid start to the tournament there. Against the Austrian Jurij Rodionov, who was able to reach a semi-final on grass during his career in Stuttgart, Murray did not show any weaknesses and made things clear early on with two quick breaks in sets one and two.
In particular, the Scot's own serve worked perfectly, around 90 percent of the points went to Murray, the first serve landed in the field. In the end, the former world number one won his ticket for the round of 16 with 6: 2 and 6: 1, where according to the seeding list it could now go against Radu Albot. Number two at Surbiton's ATP Challenger event is Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, while Murray goes to work in his home country.