Rain delays tennis at Geneva Open as Murray struggles in opener

Fans of the ATP Tour saw an anti-climactic first day of the Geneva Open unfold on Monday as rain delayed play during Andy Murray’s opening match.

Only four matches were completed, with the majority of the day’s schedule now shifted to Tuesday.

While it’s rare for an ATP 250 event to garner much attention, particularly the week before a Grand Slam, the Geneva Open this year is different.

The clay court tournament features a stacked lineup, with world No.1 Novak Djokovic, Roland-Garros runner-up Casper Ruud, and American No.1 Taylor Fritz among the names competing this week.

Andy Murray saved by rain in Geneva

His current ranking doesn’t exactly flatter, but there’s no denying that Murray is a huge drawcard in Geneva this week.

The Brit is playing in his first ATP-level tournament since suffering an ankle injury in Miami last March. Prior to the injury, the 36-year-old was playing some great tennis, having made a run to the third round at the Masters 1000 tournament.

With Roland-Garros and Wimbledon just around the corner, Murray came to Geneva eager to rekindle his winning ways.

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His hopes of a victorious comeback are looking perilous after an hour and a half on court in Geneva, however. The three-time Grand Slam champion faced off against German Yannick Hanfmann on Monday, losing a tight opening set 7-5.

Down 4-1 and a double break in the second set, Murray was saved only by the rain in Geneva. It would take a miracle for him to turn the match around when it resumes on Tuesday, with Murray serving at 40% across the match so far.

Those brave enough to bet on a Murray comeback against Hanfmann would be handsomely rewarded. Tennis bookies are paying a whopping +2000 for the Scot to win.

The winner will face an ominous task in the second round, where Djokovic looms. The Serbian took a wildcard into the Geneva tournament, hoping to gain some extra match time heading into Roland-Garros.

Australia’s Rinky Hijakata falls in first round

Of the matches that were completed on Monday, Australian Rinky Hijakata was one of the first to fall.

The 23-year-old had been searching for form after three losses in a row at his last three events. However, the big-hitting Sebastian Ofner was having none of it.

The Austrian had navigated his way through qualifying and continued that form into his clash with Hijakata.

While Hijakata was able to grab the first set, Ofner soon stormed back into the clash. He won back-to-back sets courtesy of 35 winners, dispatching Hijakata and booking his own spot in the second round.

Ofner will play second seed Ruud next.

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