Grigor Dimitrov, a winner of two ATP World Tour titles this year, got off to a winning start at the Mutua Madrid Open on Monday when the 12th seed beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6(7), 6-4 in one hour and 48 minutes. “I had to fight very hard for every single point in tough conditions,” said Dimitrov, who is overcoming a virus. “I didn’t have any expectations against a very good player and competitor. I tried to do a few things better and I’d like to get back into the rhythm of playing matches.”
He will challenge Ivo Karlovic or Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round.
Marius Copil saved two match points to beat fellow wild card Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 7-6(6), 4-6, 7-6(9) in two hours and 52 minutes for a second-round meeting against World No. 1 and two-time former champion Andy Murray. Copil saved match points at 6/7 and 8/9 in the deciding set tie-break.
Elsewhere, Robin Haase set up a clash against No. 11 seed Tomas Berdych after he hit eight aces past Daniel Evans in a 7-5, 6-2 victory over 80 minutes. Berdych advanced to the second round by dismissing Uzbekistan qualifier Denis Istomin 6-4, 6-4. Florian Mayer defeated Marcel Granollers 7-5, 7-5 and advances to play ninth seed David Goffin.
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