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Murray makes successful return

Andy Murray had been set to face Gael Monfils © Getty Images

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Andy Murray made his first appearance since winning the US Open on Tuesday, and it was a successful return to the court as he beat Ivo Karlovic in the opening round of the Japan Open.

Murray had originally been set to face Gael Monfils in Toyko, but an injury sidelined the Frenchman and allowed Karlovic to step in as a lucky loser. The change of opponent did not bother the British No. 1 though, who won 7-6(7) 6-4 to reach the second round.

In truth, Murray could hardly have faced a more contrasting rival than Karlovic. Where Monfils relies on movement, adrenaline and defence, the towering Croat lacks for mobility but hammers down a catalogue of brutal serves.

A tally of 12 aces in the first set alone testified to the fact Karlovic found his serving groove, and Murray failed to take any of his three break chances as the set progressed - somewhat predictably - to a tiebreaker.

Murray only managed to win 14 points when returning in the entire first set, so it was no surprise that the breaker was equally tight. The Brit eventually snatched it 9-7, and it proved a pivotal moment in the contest.

The second set saw both men remain solid behind their own deliveries for the first nine games, but with Karlovic serving to stay in the match he buckled. Murray raced out to 0-40 and, even though the first two break chances slipped by, he took the third for victory.

Murray will now meet Lukas Lacko, who beat Albert Ramos 6-0 6-2.

Elsewhere at the Japan Open, No. 6 seed Milos Raonic had too much power for Radek Stepanek in a 6-4 6-4 victory, while eighth seed Kei Nishikori won the all-Japanese battle with Go Soeda 4-6 6-2 6-3.

There were also victories for Jeremy Chardy, Marco Chiudinelli, Tatsuma Ito, Dmitry Tursunov, Marcos Baghdatis, Tommy Robredo and Alejandro Falla.

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