Murray books ‘biggest win’

BEIJING, China (AFP) — Andy Murray said his return to tennis is going “in the right direction” after the former number one claimed his biggest scalp Tuesday since career-saving hip surgery.

The Briton defeated US Open semifinalist Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (9/7) in just over two hours at the China Open in smoggy Beijing.

Murray meets compatriot Cameron Norrie in the Last 16 after a gutsy victory over the 13th-ranked Italian.

A three-time Grand Slam winner, Murray said he had made big strides since the first singles match of his return, a defeat at the Cincinnati Masters in mid-August.

Last week in Zhuhai he won his first ATP singles match since January’s major operation.