BBC Online :
Andy Murray eased through his first-round match at the Indian Wells Masters with a 6-3 6-2 win over Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.
The 34-year-old Briton broke the left-handed Mannarino’s serve three times en route to a convincing victory.
Murray faces Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz in the second round.
“I thought my mentality was good. I fought for every single point. That was the goal coming into the match and it got me the win,” Murray said.
“It’s been four years since I was last here. I think it’s one of the best places to play tennis on the ATP Tour.
“It’s been a tough road to get back and it was so nice that so many people managed to come out and support today. I really enjoyed it.”
In his first appearance in the United States since a thrilling defeat at the US Open by Stefanos Tsitsipas, Murray – who was handed a wildcard for the tournament – wrapped up the win in one hour and 24 minutes.
He broke Mannarino, who is ranked 51st in the world, to seize a 4-2 lead in the opening set and then clinched it when his 33-year-old opponent mishit an attempted smash. Murray whacked a forehand winner to earn the key break in the second set and saved a break in the final game before Mannarino fluffed a drop shot. The win set up a meeting with 18-year-old Alcaraz, who Murray plays for the first time in his career.
“I think Alcaraz is really, really good,” Murray added. “I think he’s got a good chance at it.”
