Murray loses 6-4 6-4 to France's Richard Gasquet on singles comeback
Tearful Murray thought in January he might have to retire
Hip resurfacing surgery has left him "pain-free"
The Scot returned to doubles action in June
After five tournaments he is ready to play singles
Murray 4-6 1-2 Gasquet*
Woof! Here's something to get the Cincy crowd going. Andy Murray looks like the Andy Murray all of a sudden.
Trailing 40-0, a whipping cross-court winner is followed by another forehand down the line.
He can't, can he? Oh he can! Murray moves the ball around the court nicely, bringing Gasquet forward with a drop-shot and then beating him with a backhand down the line.
Deuce...
Murray 4-6 1-2 Gasquet*
Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent in Cincinnati
Nick Kyrgios has joined the support staff. But it is very flat, almost funereal, inside Centre Court. There is quiet, respectful applause for Gasquet’s winners but the crowd seems a bit miserable - it’s as if they were expecting the Murray of 2016 to come bounding onto court.
Murray 4-6 1-2 Gasquet*
Murray is still struggling to land a first serve - down at 33% in the second set - but still does enough to stop Gasquet threatening again.
A dink over the diminutive Frenchman leaves him wafting at fresh Cincinnati air. On the board.
*Murray 4-6 0-2 Gasquet
Gasquet tries his best to give Murray a way back into the set, throwing him a few bones for a break point.
That's enough of that, is what Gasquet might be saying to himself in French. A wonderful winner and speedy second serve - 103mph, if you're wondering - dig him out of a hole.
Murray 4-6 0-1 Gasquet*
Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent in Cincinnati
Excellent first set from Gasquet.
Mind you, after that ropey first game, much for Murray to be encouraged by.
His movement improved as the set went on, and in the final game he finally managed to chase down one of Gasquet’s devilish drop shots.
#bbctennis
Daniel Knight: Surely it can’t be only me thinking this Cinci court is looking way slower than usual? Net clearance on both players' groundstrokes is something else too.
MillgateRobert: Best wishes Andy Murray, you're 6 years younger than Mr Federer, so if you've recovered enough from crippling injury, I hope you return to the top 10 if possible. Please Tennis Gods?
Image source, Getty ImagesMurray 4-6 0-1 Gasquet*
Hang on, Feliciano Lopez isn't the only Murray bromancer watching on. A row or two in front of the Spaniard is another of the Scot's pal - Nick Kyrgios.
Murray 4-6 0-1 Gasquet*
Gasquet needs just the one. Or does he? The ball is called out, the Frenchman challenges, ball has kissed paint.
Murray is moaning about the incident, not sure why.
*Murray 4-6 0-0 Gasquet
When Andy Murray is aged 56 and playing in the vets (possibly), he'll still be berating himself.
The Scot is chuntering away at himself as Gasquet, bobbing up and down on the baseline like a boxer, has three more break points at 0-40...
Murray 4-6 Gasquet
Well then, thoughts?
Encouraging signs for Murray in his first singles match back in almost seven months. After hip surgery. With a metal hip.
Plenty of nerves, plenty of rustiness. But much to be pleased about.
Murray 4-6 Gasquet
No mistake from the Frenchman. Gasquet quickly brings up three set points and, after some plucky resistance from Murray, who encouragingly chases down everything, another drop shot leaves the Scot scrambling to no avail.
Image source, Getty ImagesMurray 4-5 Gasquet*
Andy Murray's best service game by a country mile. Hold to love which included his first ace of the match.
Gasquet to serve for the set...
Your thoughts on Murray's return to singles & future career #bbctennis
Chris Rhydderch: SO good to see Andy playing again and pain free, too. Doesn't matter if it's Singles or Doubles, you can clearly see how happy he is to be playing again. Welcome back Sir Andy.
Tanya Smith: 1) Sheer, pure joy and happiness and 2) To see Murray enjoy tennis and play pain free is the only future that matters, win or lose.
Image source, Getty Images*Murray 3-5 Gasquet
Gasquet has a forehand technique which leaves tennis purist scratching their hands in amazement/confusion, but it works to a tee again when he again injects pace to leave Murray beaten at 40-15.
And a peach of a drop-shot seals the game, not for the first time in this game, leaves him one more away from the first set.
Murray 3-4 Gasquet*
Excellent timekeeping.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Murray 3-4 Gasquet*
As Russell points out, his first serve is down at 50%. That was something which took time to warm up in his doubles match earlier this summer on the British grass.
A weak forehand into the net gives Gasquet another break point...
A long rally sees the Frenchman get Murray moving along the baseline, then suddenly - with the Scot expecting a forehand down the middle - ratchets up the tempo with another crosscourt shot which Murray can't get back to.
Murray 3-3 Gasquet
Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent in Cincinnati
Backhand and first serve are Murray’s biggest worries right now. But at least a misfiring first serve gives him the chance to hone his break point saving skills.
Murray’s doubles partner Feliciano Lopez is watching on. They are teaming up again here this week - and they have a tough start against the fourth seeds Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau.
Image source, Getty Images*Murray 3-3 Gasquet
Murray steps off the gas a little, not offering much resistance as Gasquet - a former world number seven remember - holds to 15.
Wonder what's going through the mind of Gasquet? I mean, it is the Andy Murray at the opposite end of the court. And he won't want to get beat by a bloke with a metal hip in his first match back...
Murray 3-2 Gasquet*
Feliciano Lopez is in the house!
Murray's doubles partner is sat with the Scot's team to offer some moral support. Obviously, the Spaniard is looking as smooth as ever.
'Deliciano' indeed. They're the words of Murray's mum Judy, not me.
Murray 3-2 Gasquet*
Deuce... the pair go toe-to-toe in a baseline rally, Gasquet blinking first with another mis-hit.
Advantage Murray... and a second serve is planted into the net by a Gasquet forehand.
Three games on the spin for the Scot. He's ahead for the first time today.