Murray grinds out three-set win in New York

Andy Murray stepped up his return to competitive tennis with an impressive three-set victory over world No 7 Alexander Zverev in the last 32 of the Western & Southern Open.

The Scot, who said he felt “physically good” after beating young American Frances Tiafoe in the first round in New York in his first competitive match in nine months, backed that up with a courageous 6-3 3-6 7-5 win over the fifth-seeded German, a semi-finalist at the Australian Open earlier this year.

A single break of serve lifted Murray to the first set before his opponent converted one of his four break points in the second to level the match.

But the 33-year-old Murray regrouped and broke for a 3-1 lead in the decider and then moved 4-1 in front, only for Zverev to reel off four straight games to go 5-4 ahead and give himself the chance to serve for the match.

However, Murray broke again to level before holding serve, leaving Zverev serving to stay in the match.

He was unable to do so as Murray converted his first match point to seal victory in two hours and 31 minutes.

It was a hugely encouraging display from the former world number one, who has admitted has had to lower his expectations since battling injury problems, with the US Open starting on August 31.

Murray will take on Canadian Milos Raonic, who knocked out Britain’s Dan Evans, in the last 16.