Andy Murray faces tricky draw in singles return at Cincinnati Masters

Dejan Kalinic

Andy Murray faces tricky draw in singles return at Cincinnati Masters image

Andy Murray has been handed a tricky draw for his singles return at the Cincinnati Masters.

The former world No. 1 is making his comeback in singles just over six months after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery and having returned in doubles.

Having accepted a wild card into the ATP Masters 1000 event, Murray — a three-time Grand Slam champion — is facing a tough run.

Murray will face Richard Gasquet in the opening round and he holds an 8-3 win-loss record over the Frenchman.

If the two-time Cincinnati champion can win his opener, Murray will face fourth seed Dominic Thiem, while the Brit is in the same quarter as Alexander Zverev and half as Rafael Nadal.

Murray last played singles at the Australian Open, losing to Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round, and at the time suggested he was facing retirement.

However, Murray described his latest operation, which has left him pain-free, as "life-changing" and he is now on the brink of completing a remarkable return to top-level singles action.

Last year's finalists, champion Novak Djokovic and runner-up Roger Federer, are returning to action in Cincinnati for the first time since Wimbledon. Both have first-round byes in the elite 64-player event. 

Among high-profile U.S. players in the draw, 13th seed John Isner opens against Dusan Lajovic and Frances Tiafoe faces Gael Monfils. 

 

Dejan Kalinic