"Oh Andy." Murray isn't happy with himself as he gives Gasquet another sniff.

Two more break points for the Frenchman... two more saved by Murray.

Murray's first serve speeds are starting to increase now after that nervy start.

"Come on!! LET'S GO!"

Andy is back. Given more than a helping hand from Gasquet, Murray takes the third break point to claw back level.

A few minutes ago he looked set to go 3-0 down. Now it's 2-2. Funny old game.

Image source, Getty Images

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent in Cincinnati

That was a smart move by Gasquet to ask Murray to serve first - nerves and rust contributed to a game Murray has done well to put out of his mind.

It’s overcast and humid in Cincinnati, and even though Gasquet also missed a lot of time at the start of the year, he’s battle hardened again. This is the 12th tournament of his comeback, and he had a fine win over Kei Nishikori in Montreal last week.

Now then. Gasquet goes rogue at the start of his second service game, shanking a forehand wide for 0-30.

Then the Frenchman challenges a Murray return to his feet which is not called out. Paint all over that ball.

Three break points to Murray...

Joe Nicolson: 1) Delighted to see Andy back playing any kind of tennis and 2) Doesn’t matter where his career goes, he’s got nothing to prove.

Johnny H: Feels amazing to see Andy back on court and these nerves are understandable. Gasquet a good R1 opponent though, win or lose he will see a lot of balls and be able to work into a rhythm to take forward on his comeback.

PurpleSwanphoto: How do I feel about Andy’s return to singles? It’s great, and it gives hope to all those doubting whether to have hip surgery. Where do I see his career going from here? I think he has a great chance of 1 more Grand Slam!

Much better. Murray is starting to settle and find his timing more, fighting back to get on the board. A backhand winner leaves Gasquet rooted to the baseline.

First serve.. net. Second serve down the middle, returned by Gasquet and thumped back with a top-spinning forehand from Murray.

Gasquet gets there but his cross-court forehand is marginally wide. Break point saved. Deuce...

Murray's coach Jamie Delgado looks like a parent watching their first born stepping out on to court for the first time. Nervous but proud.

Murray moves 30-0 ahead when Gasquet nets after a rally, but the Briton loses his way as his opponent fights back for 30-30.

Another rusty forehand into the net from Murray brings up another break point...

Mark: So relieved and nervous about Murray being back. You could easily see him being top 4 again in 18 months, and if he can play for 3 more years when Nadal and Federer have retired there is no reason he can't win another major.

Andy MacCallum: Rooting for Andy Murray tonight. I had a hip resurfacing a few years back and was pleased to be walking the dog six months later! Not sure everyone appreciates how major an op it is.

Image source, Getty Images

Of course it is never a break until you've backed it up with a hold.

And Gasquet does exactly that.

A blink-and-you'll miss it hold to love. Textbook.

Murray can save the first break point but not the second. A crosscourt backhand goes wide and Gasquet gets his nose ahead.

Virtually silent inside Centre Court.

Ah. A dodgy ball toss and a double fault to start from the Briton. Probably a sign of his nerves.

Because even after hundreds of tour matches, Grand Slam finals and huge nerve-wracking moments, they don't go away.

More signs as a couple of errors put Gasquet 40-15 ahead... two break points.

A tummy-settling baseline rally ends in the Frenchman going wide with a forehand. 30-40...

"End of warm up," shouts Lahyani. "Andy Murray to serve first."

Cue more raucous cheers.

"Ready? Play."

* denotes next serve

Image source, Getty Images

Miles Maclagan
Andy Murray's former coach on BBC Radio 5 Live

I wouldn't count it out. He is still a step above likes of Zverev and Tsitsipas. I have spoken to his team and his hip feels good. It is the strength in the muscle and if he gets that back then I think he can.

Emma: Sat here eagerly waiting for @andy_murray, external on court in Cincinnati for his 1st singles match since surgery. Haven’t been this excited since he won Wimbledon in 2013!

Image source, Getty Images

This is a day which pretty much of all of us, including Andy Murray, thought they wouldn't see seven months ago.

So I want to know two things from you:

1. Your feelings about seeing the former world number one/three-time Grand Slam winner/Britain's greatest player/knight of the realm return.

2: Where you see his career going from here.

Get involved using #bbctennis.

Mohamed Lahyani, one of tennis' most recognisable umpires, is the man in the middle today, reminding Murray of a few rules before tossing the coin.

Gasquet wins the toss, opting to receive first.

The Frenchman is currently ranked 56th in the world (although has a protected ranking of 26th) having missed the first four months of the year after groin surgery last year.

But he has been looking sharp in recent weeks, earning an impressive win over world number six Kei Nishikori in Montreal last week.

Miles Maclagan
Andy Murray's former coach on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is exciting. I have known not to write Andy off with anything and that goes with the other greats as well. They think differently.

We have seen in the last few months that he has done everything he can to get back in the game.

Murray says the surgery was "life-changing".

After being unable to play with his children at the soft play centre, or putting on his socks, without feeling pain, suddenly it had disappeared.

That rekindled his love of tennis as he prepared to make his comeback in the doubles at Queen's - which ended in a fairytale win alongside Spain's Feliciano Lopez.

Four doubles tournaments later, hours spent weightlifting in the gym to build up his strength around the hip, plus numerous practice sets in the singles on the American hard courts... and Murray feels the time is right to go solo again...

Image source, Getty Images

Following that emotional announcement, Murray told BBC Sport that a second hip surgery was an option.

But he said the operation to resurface his hip was not with the "view to playing at the highest level again".

"The number one reason to have something so serious is improve your quality of life and being in less pain," he added.

No player has had that operation and come back to play tennis singles.

Murray went under the knife with renowned hip surgeon Sarah Muirhead-Allwood, who has operated on the Queen Mother, later in January...

Image source, Instagram