STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray defeated Australian qualifier Christopher O'Connell 6-4, 6-3 in the first round of the Stuttgart Open on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old Murray dropped the first three games of the match but recovered to break O'Connell four times and celebrate his tournament debut with a 95-minute win.
Murray missed much of the clay-court season to focus on his preparations for grass. He reached the semifinals of the Surbiton Trophy last week, when he was beaten by Denis Kudla.
Seventh-seeded Alexander Bublik defeated Kudla 7-6 (3), 7-5 later Tuesday to prevent a rematch. Murray will now face Bublik in the second round.
Also, Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker surprised American player Maxime Cressy 6-7 (2), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (2). The 19-year-old Stricker next faces top-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas.