Andy Murray kicked off his grass-court season in winning fashion Monday. The Scot defeated former World No. 19 Hyeon Chung 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the ATP Challenger Tour 125 event in Surbiton.
The three-time major champion displayed smooth court coverage, often working his way to the net. In action just 20 minutes from the All England Club, where the 36-year-old has won two Wimbledon titles, Murray won 24 of 29 first-serve points to oust the South Korean Chung, who was playing just his third match since returning from two-and-half-years off due to a back injury.
Murray will next meet a qualifier, China’s Yunchaokete Bu or Briton Harry Wendelken.
In other action at the Lexus Surbiton Trophy, fifth seed Jason Kubler defeated Gijs Brouwer 6-1, 7-6(4) and Denis Kudla survived Christopher O’Connell 6-3, 5-7, 6-2. Wild card Ryan Peniston cruised past Jiri Vesely 6-4, 6-2.
Top seed and World No. 25 Daniel Evans will be in first-round action Tuesday against Australian teenager James McCabe.