By Tony Fairbairn
- Andy Murray [WC] def Alejandro Davidovich Fokina [6] 7-5 6-2
- Murray v Pedro Cachin | H2H: First Meeting
GIJON, SPAIN – Andy Murray downed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in straight sets to earn a confidence-boosting win in Gijon where he is into the second round to face Pedro Cachin.
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Andy Murray def Alejandro Davidovich Fokina [6] 7-5 6-2
Andy Murray is into the second round in Gijon after a confidence-boosting win over sixth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. It was the Spaniard who started the match more confidently as he dictated play from the baseline and prevented Murray from playing his game. The Brit lacked security on serve and created a whole host of errors as Davidovich Fokina broke in the opening game and consolidated for a 2-0 lead.
It took Murray a while to grow into the game with the sixth seed using his power and athleticism to be the more aggressive player in the match. Davidovich Fokina pushed for the double break in the fifth and seventh games of the match but Murray remained defiant as he saved two break points to remain just the one break behind.
Murray’s clutch serving allowed him to have more freedom on return and the three-time Grand Slam champion used that to his advantage as he converted his first break point of the match to level the set at 4-4.
Davidovich Fokina lacked that spark that he had in the opening half of the set as Murray found his confidence on return and continued to find the big points when it mattered most. After a tight service hold for a 6-5 lead, Murray stepped up his game towards the end of the set and converted his third set point to take the opening set in 63 minutes.
Murray carried the momentum into the second set as he took advantage of an inconsistent Davidovich Fokina, to break as he took a 3-1 lead. The Spaniard had very little to offer in the second set on return as the Brit cruised to two love service holds. Davidovich Fokina seemed to run out of steam as more errors saw Murray seal the double break lead at 5-1 and victory was in sight for the Brit.
The sixth seed gave the home crowd something to cheer about as he saved match point and produced some stunning winners to gain one of the breaks back. However Murray broke for a third time in the set and converted his fourth match point to seal a confidence boosting win and a place in the second round.
Andy Murray [WC] v Pedro Cachin H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Andy Murray [WC] v Pedro Cachin | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Gijon | Gijon, Spain |
| Indoor Hard | Prize Money: €10,740 |
| Second on Pista Central not before 13:30 (12:30 BST) | TennisTV <- Subscription Required |
The problem for Murray this season has been backing up his big wins and he will need to that in Gijon as he takes on Pedro Cachin in the second round.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)
| H2H: | Andy Murray (WR 48) | Pedro Cachin (WR 61) |
| Tournament Previous Best | N/A | N/A |
| 1st Serve % | 59.5 | 59.5 |
| Service Games Won % | 80.8 | 76.6 |
| Break Points Saved % | 57.9 | 61.5 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 55.7 | 50.8 |
| Break Points Converted % | 40.2 | 33.6 |
Murray will look to create more break point opportunities in this match as the Brit is by far the more efficient player on return heading into this match.
Playing styles and prediction
Cachin has done very well to reach the top 65 in the world and the Argentinian has done that by grinding away on the challenger circuit by going deep on clay courts. Cachin has had very limited success on hard courts and the main tour with that being a key area of improvement over the next few years for the world number 61.
Murray will look to start the match much better than he did against Davidovich Fokina and be the aggressor from the baseline. Unlike his opening round match, Murray will need to generate his own power and angles which is something that can be tricky for the Brit to execute if his intensity isn’t there. Should Murray be at his top level than he should have too much for the gritty Argentinian although the match could get slippery at times given Cachin’s rally tolerance.
Prediction: Murray in straight sets.
How to Watch/Follow ATP Gijon 2022
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