Murray digs in to outlast world No 10

ANDY MURRAY’S extraordinary persistence paid off last night as he scored his first top-10 victory of the season. The Scot, 34, who has been desperately searching for a run to fire him up the rankings, defeated Wimbledon semi-finalist Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 to reach the second round of the Vienna Open. Murray had to show resilience once again after missing a match point in the second set and eventually prevailed in two hours and 41 minutes over the world No 10. He could have been discouraged by losing yet another tiebreak to a top-20 player but bounced back in the decider, giving his metal hip another thorough workout. By winning Murray did compatriot Cam Norrie a favour, as Poland’s Hurkacz is one of the new British No 1’s main rivals to claim one of the two remaining spots in next month’s eight-man ATP Finals in Turin. Norrie today faces Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics as he attempts to become an unlikely qualifier for the year-end championships. Murray recovered from an early break down in the third set, swallowing the disappointment of losing his sixth consecutive tiebreak against a top-20 player. The twice Wimbledon champion now faces exciting Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz, who earlier defeated Dan Evans 6-4, 6-3. Murray beat Alcaraz this month at Indian Wells. Meanwhile, British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith has named a formidable squad for next month’s finals event in Innsbruck and Madrid. Norrie and Evans will play singles with Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski in the doubles. One place has been left vacant in case Andy Murray has a late change of mind and becomes available.