Murray going 'in right direction' after biggest win since return

Andy Murray said his return to tennis is going "in the right direction" after the former number one claimed his biggest scalp Tuesday since career-saving hip surgery.

The Briton defeated US Open semi-finalist Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (9/7) in just over two hours at the China Open in smoggy Beijing.

Murray meets compatriot Cameron Norrie in the last 16 after a gutsy victory over the 13th-ranked Italian.

Murray, 32, a three-time Grand Slam winner, said he had made big strides since the first singles match of his return, a defeat at the Cincinnati Masters in mid-August.

Last week in Zhuhai he won his first ATP singles match since January's major operation.

"I didn't really feel like I was playing at a great level," he said of his match against Richard Gasquet in Cincinnati "Whereas even last week (in Zhuhai), although I lost in the second round, I felt like I was playing tour-level tennis."
"So the more I can get through these sort of matches like I did today, I'll get there a little bit quicker."
- Trio into last 16 -
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"I think it was about going back out there and knowing we've done everything we could, trusting it."