Murray makes his 1000th count with Queen’s win

Andy Murray secured a home victory on Tuesday as he played the 1,000th ATP match of his career, ending with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over Alexei Popyrin to advance at Queen’s Club.

The 37-year-old five-time champion at the prime Wimbledon tune-up event spent nearly two hours in reaching the second round with a gutsy display over the Australian qualifier.

Murray’s 16th appearance at the home tournament pulls him level with Aussie Lleyton Hewitt on 16 apiece.

The victory was the first for the Scot since Miami three months ago and gives him his first on grass for 2024 after losing last week in the Stuttgart first round to Marcos Giron.

Murray set up a pair of match points with his ninth ace and needed only one to convert a crisp volley at the net into a match-winner.

“I’ve not had so many victories this season, so I did well to come through,” the three-time Grand Slam winner said.

“Any win you can get is important, that’s why we’re playing 

“With Wimbledon a few weeks away I want to build confidence and get some matches in my legs.

“I’m proud of how I fought to come back after losing the second set

Murray admitted that tennis longevity takes a toll: “My mum told me this was my 1,000th match.on the Tour, that’s a lot of wear and tear on the body.”

Main photo:- Andy Murray with Queens Trophy in 2009 by Fotosports International