Andy Murray hopes first 2024 win in Doha is the "start of a better run"

Andy Murray can breathe a little easier now.

The former world No. 1 finally got himself into the win column Tuesday, after beginning his 2024 season by losing four matches. He certainly needed it for more reasons than one, as Murray is defending finalist points from his run last year at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.

Murray held off Alexandre Muller, 6-1, 7-6 (5), in one hour and 57 minutes. The two were facing off for the second year running in Doha, with Murray rallying from a set down in their 2023 quarterfinal encounter.

“Happy for my team who have been working extremely hard with me and trying to find solutions to get me through this difficult moment. Hopefully this is the start of a better run,” Murray said in an on-court interview.

Against the Frenchman, Murray was broken just once on the day. The three-time major winner found himself down 5-3 in the tiebreaker, but outfoxed Muller’s drop shot with a beautiful backhand re-drop to get back on serve. A well-struck forehand by Murray and unforced backhand error from Muller brought up match point, one Murray quickly converted with a booming backhand crosscourt return

“Obviously the last few months have been really tough on the court for me. Not won many matches and lost a lot of close ones as well. It was getting tight there at the end, as well. Delighted to get through,” Murray said.

He jokingly raised his arms in triumph when tournament emcee Andy Taylor referenced it marking his first win of 2024 before previewing his second-round opponent in Jakub Mensik. The 18=year-old knocked out fifth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, 7-6 (3), 6-4.

“I saw a little bit of his match today. He’s obviously a very promising young player. Huge serve, moves well for a big guy,” the Brit said.

Murray wasn’t the only familiar title holder from his generation to deliver Tuesday, as Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils posted their own straight-set victories.

Gasquet, the 2013 champion, also collected his first tour-level win this year when he defeated Alexander Shevchenko, 6-4, 6-4. Three days earlier, Gasquet finished runner-up at the Manama Challenger to Mikhail Kukushkin. Top-seeded Andrey Rublev awaits in the second round here.

Monfils closed out Botic van de Zandschulp in a wild finish. The 2018 titlist staved off nine set points to advance, 6-1, 7-6 (9).