Andy Murray gained a deciding set for the seventh time this season to succeed in the second spherical at Indian Wells.
The British former world primary defeated Tomas Etcheverry 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-4 in a match that lasted three hours and 12 minutes.
Murray had no fewer than 20 break factors, 16 of which had been saved by the 23-year-old Argentine.
“I actually felt like I used to be within the driving seat for a lot of the match,” Murray advised BBC Sport.
“I used to be creating a number of alternatives however I simply wasn’t capable of capitalise. I made some poor choices at instances, however ultimately did very well to get via that.”
Etcheverry was the sharper man in a primary set tie-break, which he gained 7-5, and had a break level for a 2-1 lead within the second.
However Murray saved that break level earlier than working away with the second set.
Each gamers had probabilities within the deciding set. Etcheverry had two break factors at 4-3 however Murray saved them with some advantageous serving, then secured the decisive break within the subsequent recreation because the Argentine double faulted.
“I am not going to maintain profitable each three-set match that I play, nevertheless it’s been a tremendous begin to the yr,” Murray continued.
“It was nonetheless a great effort to show that round as the primary set was extraordinarily lengthy and I used to be considering ‘right here we go once more’.
“This can be a place the place I have never at all times performed my greatest tennis so I used to be actually completely happy that I managed to show that round.”
Murray will play Spain’s world quantity 17 Pablo Carreno Busta within the second spherical on Saturday.
Draper units up all-British conflict
Murray’s victory got here after 21-year-old compatriot Jack Draper thrashed Switzerland’s Leandro Riedi 6-1 6-1, to arrange a second-round assembly with fellow Briton Dan Evans.
The left-hander had not performed since mid-January when he misplaced to Spain’s Rafael Nadal on the Australian Open.
Displaying no indicators of the leg damage he had been coping with, Draper regarded sharp as he dismantled One hundred and thirty fifth-ranked Riedi’s serve.
Draper, ranked 56th, broke in six of his seven return video games in addition to dominating on his personal serve.
Regardless of a seven-week lay-off, Draper confirmed why is among the ATP Tour’s rising younger stars by hanging the ball confidently and persistently in a formidable efficiency.
The fast win units up an intriguing match in opposition to twenty fourth seed Evans, who will certainly present a sterner check than Riedi did on his debut in an ATP Masters occasion.
Evans, 32, obtained a first-round bye within the Californian desert and the Davis Cup team-mates will play one another competitively for the primary time later this week.
Talking about Evans, Draper advised BBC Sport: “He is a very nice human being and each time I’ve had moments the place I’ve not felt nice he is at all times despatched me a message, and I recognize that from an older participant.
“He undoubtedly cares and it is the identical with Murray and [Cameron] Norrie – they’ve paved the best way for me a little bit bit and so they’ve at all times been supportive in my observe classes and given me the boldness I’ve wanted to get to this degree faster, so I am very grateful to the likes of Dan.”
