TORONTO—Former Toronto Masters winners Andy Murray and Alexander Zverev dispatched first-round opponents in windy conditions on Tuesday to power into the second round of the Canadian hardcourt event.
Britain’s Murray worked through a marathon opening set before dominating the second for a 7-6 (7/3), 6-0 victory over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.
The 36-year-old Scotsman, with three Canadian titles on his resume, earned his first victory in the country since his 2015 trophy as he defeated the Italian in two hours, eight minutes in a challenging wind.
Germany’s Zverev, who defeated Roger Federer for the 2017 Canadian title, reached the second round by defeating Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-6 (7/3).
Third seed Casper Ruud began his US Open run-up after a bye, struggling at the start but wrapping up a 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 defeat of Jiri Lehecka for a 199th career ATP match win.
The Norwegian trailed 4-0 in the first-set tiebreaker but found form in his first hardcourt match of the summer to reach the third round.
“I told myself not to give up, just keep holding onto the score,” he said. “I saved a couple of set points.
“It was all about luck and margins and they were on my side. By the end of the second set I was hitting and serving better — I’m happy how I progressed in the match.”
Murray won his only previous encounter with Sonego last February in Doha, saving three match points. Murray, ranked 40th to his opponent’s 39th, also lifted the trophy here in 2009 and 2010.
Murray’s opening set lasted 90 minutes, with the two-time Wimbledon winner saving set points in the 10th game.
He profitted from Sonego’s 44 unforced errors to sweep into the second round.
“I’m really pleased to have won. Those were blustery conditions,” Murray said. “The wind was changing conditions during the points.