Hopefully the first of many more singles matches in Andy Murray's resurrected career.

The former British number one's first singles match back in almost seven months did not end in a win - but he won't really care.

He is back.

Thanks for your company over the past couple of hours, make sure you have a read of our developing match report.

Ta-ta for now.

Tennis commentator David Law: "That’ll do for Murray, I would think. He knows where he is now. A long way short but hopefully pain free. He had to start somewhere, and he’s started."

Former British number one Annabel Croft: Great to see @andy_murray, external back playing singles again - ball striking skills still amazing ! Not sure he enjoyed facing so many drop shots from @richardgasquet1, external ( #mean) but still a good start on road back

Ian Robbins: "Enough positives there for me to think Murray’s return has legs. Most encouraging was the way he grew into the match and improved in almost all areas throughout. Onwards and upwards.

The result of the match might not have been a victory. But in terms of proving his fitness and ability to compete again - after career-saving hip surgery - it was nothing other than a win for Andy Murray.

You Andy is back when he is berating his box. "WHYYYY?!" he asks when he sprays a forehand marginally wide. That's 30-30.

And then Gasquet suddenly has match point...

Another dropshot is spotted by Murray, who bats away a winner for 15-15. Cue more cheers. Then he sticks away a smash for 15-30. Chance...

A rallying roar in the direction of Andy Murray from the American crowd. They don't want this to be the final game. But it will be if Gasquet holds serve...

Sulaimon Adelekan: It's sheer joy to see Andy Murray back to the singles. For now I don't care whether he wins or lose, watching him play is more than enough.

Nice. An ace down the middle puts Murray 40-15 ahead, another first serve leaving Gasquet scrambling before the Scot gives him the eyes and beats him with a backhand down the line.

if Gasquet is going to win this match then he is going to have to do it on his own serve...

Gasquet's previous three service games lasted a total of 34 points.

This time it was just the four. Murray can't push him at what is almost the critical point of the second set and the Frenchman is one game for victory...

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent in Cincinnati

Murray is at least putting constant pressure on Gasquet’s serve.

A Masters event is a brutal place to make a return to the tour.The world number 49, Grigor Dimitrov, was the last direct entrant - and Gasquet had to rely on his protected ranking just to get into the draw.

Murray has won 89% of the points when he has landed his first serve in the second set. The problem is he has only nailed nine of them.

A couple here - along with a perfect drop-shot which kisses the line and spins out of the court to safety - help the former world number one hold to 15.

Now can he put more pressure on the Gasquet serve and claw that break back?

Gasquet goes back to the dropshot drawer, plucking out another to put him with a point of the game. This time he doesn't lose his nerve on serve and eventually holds after a six-minute game.

Murray pushing the former world number seven hard...

A double fault stops Gasquet sealing the game, then he throws in an aggressive second serve which Murray can't return to safety. Bold.

Then another double! Back to deuce...

Gasquet has only won a handful of matches in the past couple of months, but is looking in relatively good nick here.

A whipping backhand winner stops Murray in his tracks on the baseline, putting him 40-15 ahead.

Ah, the commentator's curse. The Frenchman loses his way and leaves the back door ajar for Murray to creep in. Deuce...

You don't lose it. Murray's eyes stick to the back of a high ball, putting away a smash with ease.

That puts him 40-0 ahead and within touching distance of the hold... hang on, Gasquet isn't giving up just yet, putting away a forehand winner.

Don't worry Murray fans... he's got it. Back within one.

Oh hello! Gasquet coughs up a double fault... advantage Murray. Break point Murray!

Ah. Gasquet saves it with a vicious delivery down the middle, Glenn McGrath would be proud of that one.

Another ace from the Frenchman seals the deal.

One of Murray's better games of the match, certainly some of his best shots. And here's another one!

The Scot is trying to rush Gasquet now, hitting the ball quicker and whacking an inside-out forehand down the line to earn a third deuce...