Beijing (AFP)

Andy Murray won his first major singles victory in Beijing in his ATP 500 tournament on Tuesday, eliminating Italian Matteo Berrettini, 13th in the world and semifinalist of the last US Open.

"I think things are going in the right direction," said the 32-year-old Scotsman.

The 503rd World Cup, which benefited from a protected classification to enter directly into the big table in Beijing, posted a very good level of play and a great physical form to win 7-6 (7/2), 7- 6 (9/7) after 2:02 of play.

Strong from the back of the court facing the Italian colossus, Murray was also mentally strong, as he showed in the first set where he broke up to return to 5-5 before winning the tie break. And in the second run, he saved two set balls before closing the match.

In the round of 16, the triple Grand Slam winner (US Open 2012, Wimbledon 2013 and 2016) will be opposed to his British compatriot Cameron Norrie (69th and qualifying).

The former world No.1 won last week in Zhuhai his first single on the ATP circuit since the installation of a hip prosthesis in January, at the expense of the American Tennys Sandgren. But he suffered physically in the second lap and lost to Australian Alex De Minaur.

- "A big step" -

The Scotsman had mentioned in Melbourne in January a likely retirement after Wimbledon 2019 - where he played in doubles and mixed doubles - because of his recalcitrant hip. But the successful installation of a metal prosthesis allowed him to see a return to the competition in singles.

Murray returned to the circuit in June, first in doubles, including a win at the Queen's grass tournament, paired with Spain's Feliciano Lopez. In singles, he made his comeback in August at the Cincinnati Masters 1000, with a loss as soon as he entered.

"The first game I played, against Gasquet in Cincinnati, I did not feel in my place," commented Murray Tuesday after his victory in Beijing, "I did not find that I played at a high level."

"On the contrary, last week (in Zhuhai), even though I lost in the second round, I felt that I was at the level to evolve on the circuit" ATP, he added, saying he did in Zhuhai "a big step" on the way back to the highest level.

Still remains to chain games at the level of play that allowed him to eliminate Berrettini, and that, "I do not know if I'm ready to do it," he admitted.

© 2019 AFP