Murray earns victory in 1000th match, advances at Queen's Club

Andy Murray earned victory in his 1000th tour-level match on Tuesday when he overcame Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 at the cinch Championships.

The Scot is a record five-time champion at the Queen’s Club and he played with confidence against Popyrin to snap a four-match losing streak on Tour. Backed by a vocal crowd in London, Murray used his backhand slice to keep the ball low and hit through his forehand to dictate in the key moments.

“I didn’t realise, but my mum told me before the match that this was my 1000th match on the Tour,” Murray said in his on-court interview. “A lot of matches and a lot of wear and tear in the body and it is not easy but I managed to push through.”

With his one-hour, 51-minute win, Murray set a second-round clash with Australian Jordan Thompson. The former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings has often produced his best level on grass, also winning Wimbledon twice (2013, 2016).

Murray holds a 32-9 record at the ATP 500 grass-court event, having won his first match at the tournament in 2005.

“During the match it is difficult but great reward at the end for the hard work and effort I put into the match,” Murray said. “I have not got too many wins this year, it has been a difficult season but did well to come through in the end. Held quite a few tight service games and managed to serve it out well.”

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In other action, Jack Draper, fresh off his maiden ATP Tour title in Stuttgart, continued his red-hot form by cruising past Mariano Navone 6-3, 6-2. At a career-high No. 31, Draper is competing as the British No. 1 for the first time this week.

That role seemed to fit the lefty well Tuesday, when he dropped just three points behind his first serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats, to advance after 54 minutes. The 22-year-old next clashes against top speed Carlos Alcaraz, who is 2-0 against Draper.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard earned a statement win when he upset sixth seed Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(3). French qualifier Mpetshi Perricard, who won his maiden tour-level title in Lyon last month, fired 16 aces to earn his first grass-court tour-level win. The 20-year-old is up eight spots to No. 59 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. Shelton is now 19-13 on the season, having lost his past three matches.

Mpetshi Perricard will next play Billy Harris after the British wild card defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to earn just his second tour-level win.

Fifth-seeded American Tommy Paul eliminated Sebastian Baez 6-4, 6-4, while Brandon Nakashima advanced after Daniel Evans retired with the score at 4-6, 6-3.

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