Tennis-Murray ready for “big trials” against Sinner in Stockholm

(Reuters) – Andy Murray faces a tough challenge against top Italian investor Jannik Sinner in the second round of the Stockholm Open, the former world leader said after winning his opening match on Tuesday.

Murray, who underwent hip surgery in 2018 and 2019 and is currently ranked 143rd, won qualifier Viktor Durasovic 6-1 7-6 (7) at the ATP 250.

The three-time Grand Slam champion will face Sinner for the first time on Wednesday, with world number 10 chasing his fifth title of the year.

Sinner did not make it to the season-ending ATP final after losing to Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in the second round of the Paris Masters.

“Sinner has had a fantastic season … He was very unlucky when he didn’t make it to the Final Eight (ATP final) in Turin,” Murray said in a field interview.

“I think he’s won four or five tournaments this year and he loves to play indoors on the hard field. It’s a big test for me and I’m sure it will be good.”

Murray made it to the third round at Wimbledon this year and suffered from the first round out of the US Open. He has not won a single championship since his 2019 victory in Antwerp.

(Report by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; edited by Peter Rutherford)