Andy Murray makes Jannik Sinner admission as Brit sets up exciting Stockholm Open clash

Andy Murray says he's in the 'bad books' after losing ring

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Andy Murray is well aware of the tough test ahead of him as he prepares to face top seed Jannik Sinner at the Stockholm Open. Murray, 34, came through a difficult opening match to make the last-16 on Friday, beating Norwegian question qualifier Viktor Durasovic in straight sets.

It initially looked like it would be an easy night’s work for the three-time Grand Slam champion, as he broke the world No 354 twice to take the first set in only half an hour.

Victory seemed inevitable when he enjoyed another break of serve in the opening game of the second set, but it was then that Durasovic began to defy his lowly ranking, breaking back before forcing Murray to twice stay in the set at 5-4 and then 6-5.

An epic tie-break followed, with Murray wasting two match points at 6-5 up but then Durasovic himself failed to take a set point.

At 7-7 though, Murray then earned a third opportunity and this time he took it, executing a clinical forehand to to round off an exhilarating rally.

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It means a clash in the last-16 with Sinner, who has enjoyed a breakthrough season on the ATP Tour.

The Italian, 20, won his second senior career ATP title at the Great Ocean Road Open in February, and has gone on to bag two more titles as well as reaching his first ATP 1000 Masters final at the Miami Open. The world No 10 also made the fourth round of the US Open in September, eventually losing to Alexander Zverev.  

Speaking after his win, Murray admitted he was wary of an opponent he’ll be facing for the very first time.

“Sinner has had a fantastic season. He was very unlucky to not make the final eight (for the Nitto ATP Finals) in Turin,” he said. 

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“He loves playing indoors on hard courts, so it will be a big test for me.”

Murray also had praise for Durasovic, who looked a different player in the second set as he went toe-to-toe with the former world No 1.

“He’ll keep moving up the rankings if he’s playing like that. I’m happy to get through as he was playing very well at the end of the match,” said Murray.

“At the end it was just a big fight, and I managed to get the tie-break. It feels like he is playing better than 300 or so in the world.”

The winner of ther Murray v Sinner clash will meet either Tommy Paul or Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals.

Fritz has won 12 of his past 14 matches, including a run to the St. Petersburg Open final.

The American took a straight sets win over Bulgarian player Egor Gerasimov in his last-32 match.

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