Andy Murray beats Gael Monfils at Aix-en-Provence Challenger to record first win since March

Andy Murray beat Gael Monfils 6-3 6-2 at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger event to record a first win since 11 March.

Murray has been in the midst of one of the most challenging periods of his long and distinguished career, going out in the first round of three consecutive events – Miami, Monte Carlo and then Madrid – as after opting to play the clay-court season, his form has deserted him.

The 35-year-old Scot had appeared rejuvenated at the Australian Open, coming through two remarkable five-setters with Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis respectively, but then came his recent downturn.

Talking recently about his fortunes, Monfils said: “I’m not even sure that I really have the level to win matches. For the moment, I am far from winning matches.”

And it was Murray who generally looked the sharper from the off in the south of France, dominating the now world No. 322 Monfils to win in 1h18.

Murray took the first set in 43 minutes having broken Monfils twice – and only getting broken once himself – before stretching away in the second set, landing two further breaks as Monfils had no response, the despondent Frenchman shanking an ugly backhand out on match point down.

Murray faces another Frenchman, Laurent Lokoli, in the Last-16.

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