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.
Cruise worker 'murders newborn son on board ship': Shocked co
Real Madrid adapts to Champions League needs: Shock and awe one week, armadillo defense the next
Dallas Stars clinch top seed in Western Conference by getting to overtime against Blues
Choctaw artist Jeffrey Gibson is first Native American to represent the US solo at Venice Biennale
Strictly star Giovanni Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling
Burkina Faso junta expel 3 French diplomats over alleged subversive activities
Hard right makes hay with European farmers' anger ahead of June elections
US tourists trapped in Dubai traumatized by floods swamping the desert playground
Siblings trying to make US water polo teams for Paris Olympics
How South Africa's former leader Zuma turned on his allies and became a surprise election foe
Justin Timberlake set to bring his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Australia in 2025
Russian missiles slam into a Ukraine city and kill 17 people as the war approaches a critical stage