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.
Storms damage homes in Oklahoma and Kansas. But in Houston, most power is restored
Why Kate Middleton waited to announce her cancer diagnosis
‘An immortal of our incredible game’
Rihanna shows off her wild side in a low
Ant and Dec discuss their emotional farewell to Saturday Night Takeaway after 22 years
I lost everything I owned in a storage unit fire where I stored my possessions after a break
Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
Iran helicopter crash that killed President Raisi could reverberate across the Middle East
Masterful meals: Pea and white truffle soup with Parmesan galettes