Andy Murray turned back the clock at his favourite tournament by winning his first match at Queen’s Club – and his 1,000th ATP match – amid joyous scenes in West London.
The Scot had lost his last three matches in Geneva, Paris and Stuttgart – and had not won an ATP Tour match since before his ankle injury in Miami in March.
And the 37-year-old is set to retire this summer after struggling with his form and fitness.
But back on the grass at the cinch Championships where the former world No.1 has won five times, Murray got back in the old routine to win 6-3 3-6 6-3 against Alexei Popyrin in one hour and 51 minutes.
He is not ready to retire quite yet – and he will face another Aussie Jordan Thompson in the second round.
The double Wimbledon champion won his first ATP match here as a teenager in 2005. And Murray showed all his old grasscourt tricks against the Aussie world No.48 despite again seeming to struggle with his back.
The world No.129 broke serve to lead 5-3 when the Aussie sent down a double fault and he took his first set point when Popyrin sent a service return long.
But in the second set, Murray struggled with his movement and Popyrin broke to lead 2-0 and then took his first set point with a backhand volley.
The Scot refound his old magic in the second game of the third set. He set up a second break point with a forehand return winner and the made the crucial break with a backhand pass after Popyryin slipped chasing short backhand slice.
Serving for the match at 5-3, Murray took his first match point with a backhand drop volley before screaming with delight.
The Scot said: “Obviously during the match it is difficult but it is a great reward at the end for the hard work and effort I put in during the match. I have not got many wins this year. It has been a difficult season. I served it out very well. I did well to come through in the end.
“Any win that you can get is important, that’s why we’re playing. With Wimbledon a few weeks away I want to build up some confidence and get matches in my legs. It’s great to get another win here.”
Murray, who wrote: “1,000!” on the TV camera, added: “I have felt better. It was enough today. I didn’t realise it was my 1,000th match until my mum told me just before I came out. It is a lot of matches. A lot of wear and tear on the body. It is not easy but I managed to push through it.”
