BRISBANE, Australia: Andy Murray will make his long-awaited return to the ATP Tour in the Brisbane International on Sunday, after nearly five months out through injury.
Nervous organizers were gladdened by news that the dual Wimbledon champion was on a flight to Brisbane following the blow of losing world No. 1 Rafael Nadal for the major Australian Open lead-in tournament.
“Andy is on his way, he’ll land later today. He’s booking practice and really excited about coming back to Brisbane — his first appearance since 2013,“tournament director Cameron Pearson tweeted on Saturday.
Murray, the former world No. 1, has been dogged by a hip complaint and played in an exhibition set to test it out in Abu Dhabi on his way to Australia.
The 30-year-old Scot was last in action during his loss to Sam Querrey at Wimbledon and then shut down the season after that to recover from his injury.
Murray showed the effects of his time away from the court during his 6-2 loss to Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut on Friday, but he is pressing on with his plans to play in the year’s opening Grand Slam in Melbourne next month.
“I felt better as it went along, but I’ll need to keep improving for sure,” Murray told reporters in Abu Dhabi.
“Obviously a bit slow at the start. When you haven’t competed for a long while it takes time to get back up to that pace.”
But the presence of the three-time major winner in the Brisbane tournament will be a boost for the organizers after Nadal withdrew last week with lingering concerns over his fitness ahead of the January 15 Australian Open.
Bulgaria’s world No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov, who found success this year under the coaching of a former Murray coach, Dani Vallverdu, is the defending Brisbane champion and top seed.
“So far I am good to play again and pretty well adjusted to the heat because I practiced in the warmer weather (in California),” Dimitrov said this week.
“I need to control what I can control. I’m really looking forward to the first match.”
Big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic and combustible Australian Nick Kyrgios are other drawcards in the men’s event.
“I’ve also trained here in the off-season in the past, so I feel very comfortable out here,” said Kyrgios, who could face Dimitrov in the semifinals.
“It’s a great tournament with a very strong field again this year, so I’m very excited. It’s great preparation for the Australian Open.”
Former world No. 3 Raonic, whose wrist and calf injuries resulted in his ranking falling to No. 24, skipped the exhibition event in Abu Dhabi to set up a practice base in Melbourne ahead of the tournament.
Spain’s world No. 2 Garbine Muguruza heads a strong women’s field in Brisbane along with defending champion Karolina Pliskova, Elina Svitolina, Caroline Garcia, Petra Kvitova and rising Australian star Ashleigh Barty.
“The year was very good and I want to be able to play in those big finals and fight for the No. 1 spot — I’ve been there and it gives me some information,” Muguruza said as she arrived in Brisbane. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Britain’s world No. 9 Johanna Konta is also playing in Brisbane and coming off a foot injury which ended her bid to qualify for the year-end WTA Finals.
Murray to launch ATP Tour comeback in Brisbane
Murray to launch ATP Tour comeback in Brisbane
Neto treble fires Chelsea’s FA Cup rout of Hull
- It was an emotional evening for Blues boss Rosenior
KINGSTON UPON HULL: Chelsea eased into the FA Cup fifth round as Pedro Neto’s hat-trick inspired a 4-0 win at Hull on Liam Rosenior’s return to the club that sacked him two years ago.
Rosenior’s side took the lead through Neto’s superb first-half strike before the Portugal forward netted again after the break.
Estevao Willian scored Chelsea’s third and Neto completed his treble to wrap up the fourth round rout at the MKM Stadium.
It was an emotional evening for Blues boss Rosenior as he faced the club that ruthlessly severed their long relationship with him in 2024.
Rosenior supported Hull as a child alongside his season-ticket holding grandmother, played for the club across five years and managed them for two seasons.
He was sacked after narrowly failing to reach the Championship play-offs amid criticism of his team’s conservative tactics.
Despite the painful end to his time at Hull, the 41-year-old said it was an “amazing thing” to return to Humberside and he took full advantage of the chance to show his old club what they had missed out on.
“This club means a lot not just to me but also my family for many reasons,” Rosenior said.
“I do hope they make the Premier League this year, but because of our attitude and application, that is what gave us the platform to win tonight.”
Rosenior has made an impressive start at Chelsea since arriving from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca in January, winning eight out of his first 11 matches in all competitions.
He made seven changes, with Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro among those to miss out, but Chelsea were still too strong for the Championship promotion chasers.
“Pedro Neto has been outstanding, he works so hard and has so much quality. I’m delighted to see him get the goals,” Rosenior said.
“The most pleasing aspect was the mentality. It was a really strong performance in terms of the mental application you need to be successful. Everyone worked really hard for each other.”
Chelsea dominated possession to such an extent that it was little surprise when they finally made the breakthrough in the 40th minute.
Liam Delap teed up Neto and he whipped a superb finish into the corner from 20 yards.
Andrey Santos’ towering header was pushed over by Dillon Phillips after the interval and, from the resulting corner, Chelsea doubled their lead in the 51st minute.
Neto’s inswinger caught Phillips flat-footed at the near post, bouncing through his legs without a touch from either team.
Chelsea had blown a two-goal advantage in their 2-2 draw with Leeds in the Premier League on Tuesday.
But there was no chance of a repeat and Estevao grabbed their third with a composed finish from 12 yards in the 59th minute.
Neto made it four in the 71st minute, caressing a low finish past Phillips from Delap’s lay-off.
Wrexham beat fellow Championship side Ipswich 1-0 in Friday’s other fourth round tie.
The Welsh club, owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, are into the last 16 for the first time since 1996-97.
