LONDON (AP) – Top seed Andy Murray struggled to a 7-6 (8), 7-6 (1) victory over Nicolas Mahut of France to begin the defense of his title at the Queen’s Club on Tuesday.
Second seed Stan Wawrinka lost to Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 7-6 (3), but there were victories for fifth seed Croat Marin Cilic, who rallied to beat Spain’s Feliciano Lopez 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, and sixth seed Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain, who outlasted American Sam Querrey 7-6 (2), 6-7 (4), 7-6 (1).
Third seeded Canadian Milos Raonic, watched by John McEnroe who is coaching him during the grasscourt season, surrendered the first set to Australian Nick Kyrgios in a tiebreaker but took the second 6-4 before the match was suspended due to darkness.
Murray fought off a set point before securing the opening set on his third set point, and then held off a further challenge when Mahut served for the second set at 5-3.
“It was a good win,” said Murray. “Nicolas is a very good grass court player, coming off winning an event just yesterday. So he’s confident and has played a lot on the grass.