By Alberto Amalfi | @TennisNow | Tuesday, June 11, 2024
World No. 54 Marcos Giron defeated former world No. 1 Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4 to reach the second round of the Boss Open in Stuttgart.
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty
Marcos Giron stepped on court looking for a lesson.
Playing confident grass tennis, Giron walked off court with his first Stuttgart win.
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World No. 54 Giron defeated former world No. 1 Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4 to reach the second round of the Boss Open in Stuttgart.
Giron served 65 percent, permitted just eight points on first serve and smacked seven aces against no double faults in a 75-minute win.
For the former UCLA Bruin the experience of sharing the court with two-time Wimbledon winner Murray was priceless.
"For me, I grew up watching Andy and it’s truly and honor even to be on the court with him," Giron said in his on-court interview afterward. "So to beat him I’m really grateful. I’m sure he hears that enough and would really love to beat me, but I’m really happy with the win."
It was Giron's first win over a former world No. 1 after six straight defeats against former top-ranked players.
"It was like you know, I’ve got to enjoy the experience. I was excited, you know?" Giron said of facing Murray. "I can try to get a lesson from him. He’s won so many big tournaments, I mean Olympics, Wimbledon a couple of times. I was looking at his record, he’s winning 700-something matches.
"I mean, it’s unreal what he’s done in his career. For me to play him on the grass was really cool. I’m pumped to get the win here."
Giron's skill on the first strike and his ability to spread the court were crucial to the win: He saved all three break points he faced.
"On Tour it’s always so tough. Every damn player is so good and the margins are so small," Giron said. "Last year, I lost in three, the year before I lost 7-6 in the third like 11-9 in the breaker.
"So I mean I like playing on grass.It’s fun. I mean its in the slot so I feel my game translates well, but you gotta win so I’m happy to get that."
The victory vaults former world No. 44 Giron into the second round against another Briton, sixth-seeded Jack Draper.
In their lone prior meeting, Draper fought off Giron in five sets at the 2024 Australian Open last January.
"Oh my God that will be tough," Giron said. "We had a battle at the Australian Open, five sets, so I’m excited for the rematch, it will be fun."
Earlier, Brandon Nakashima hit seven aces and won 11 of 15 second-serve points defeating compatriot Christopher Eubanks 7-6(4), 6-4. Nakashima did not face a break point in the one hour, 21-minute win.
Nakashima will play lucky loser Richard Gasquet. who replaced Alexander Zverev at the top of the draw. French Open finalist Zverev withdrew from Stuttgart following his four hour, 19-minute loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Roland Garros final on Sunday.
Lorenzo Musetti went 0 for 8 on break points yet still edged French qualifier Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(9), 7-6(9) in two hours, two minutes.
The fifth-seeded Musetti faces German Dominik Koepfer next.