Andy Murray led the way and Rafael Nadal followed as both grand slam champion ended their post-Wimbledon rest periods with solid wins on Wednesday into the third round of the Montreal Masters.
The Wimbledon winner four weeks ago over Novak Djokovic, Murray started his US Open build-up in fighting form as he won his 13th match in a row, defeating Marcel Granollers 6—4, 7—6 (7—2).
Nadal, seeded fourth and returning after a Wimbledon first-round loss to Belgian Steve Darcis, rolled over Canadian Jesse Levine 6—2, 6—0 in 71 minutes.
“I’m pleased about the victory. After seven weeks without playing a match, starting in a very tough tournament like Masters 1000 with a fast court ... to be through in the second round – it’s great,” Nadal said.
“Conditions were difficult with a lot of wind. It was very difficult to play. I have to be proud and happy about the way that I played.” Murray, whose last loss came against Granollers in May in Rome, where the Scot had to retire with the back problems that kept him from the French Open, has not lost a match since his meeting with the 36th-ranked Spaniard.
The second seed and world number two will play in the third round against colourful Ernests Gulbis, who won a battle of tennis class clowns as he defeated 13th seed Fabio Fognini 6—3, 1—6, 6—1. The Italian came to the hard courts with two July titles on clay and a final.
Canadian success continued as Vasek Pospisil defeated Czech veteran Radek Stepanek 6—2, 6—4 to move into the third round at the Masters 1000 level for the first time in his career.
The number 71 was a day removed from his defeat of US player John Isner in the first round. Four more Canadians were bidding to join him in advancing at what is becoming one of the most successful events in the country’s tennis history.
Murray beat Granollers in just under two hours, recovering from 5—2 down in the second set after winning an error-filled first.
The second seed saved set points for his opponent in the 10th game to level at five apiece and then came back from 2—0 down in the ensuing tiebreaker.
Murray fired over a perfect passing shot for four match points and took victory on the first when his opponent hit the net with a forehand.
Murray was playing for the first time since his historic Wimbledon title on July 7 and has been almost a week training in Canada for the switch to hard courts. The two-time champion stands 35—5 on the season.
Number five Tomas Berdych made a winning start as he beat Alexandre Dolgopolov 6—3, 6—4, but other seeds lost.
Practice partner Benoit Paire upset Swiss eighth seed Stanislas Wawrinka 6—2, 7—6 (7—2) while Australian Marinko Matosevic advanced 5—0 with German number 10 Tommy Haas had to quit with a shoulder injury.