By Chris Oddo | Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Andy Murray got past Teymuraz Gabashvili on Tuesday in Shanghai, strengthening his London bid in the process.
Photo Source: Zhong Zhi/Getty
Andy Murray survived a tough test from Teymuraz Gabashvili on Tuesday in Shanghai, rallying from 5-3 down in the second set to claim a 6-1, 7-5 victory at the Shanghai Rolex Masters.
The 11th-seeded Scot, who won his first title in 15 months two weeks ago in Shenzhen, will face Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz in the second round. Murray defeated Janowicz just last week in the first round at Beijing.
Currently in 9th place in the ATP’s race to London, Murray is hoping to claim one of the five remaining spots for the prestigious year-end event.
“I'll see where I'm at when I get back from [Shanghai],” said Murray, according to ATPworldtour.com. “If I've still got a shot, then I'll definitely go for it ... It'll be interesting being in a different position this year, when anything can happen. There'll be pressure on everyone and I'll try and play well the last few tournaments.”
In other action in Shanghai, world No. 553 Chuhan Wang of China stunned Fabio Fognini, 7-6(5), 6-4, in his tour-level debut. The Chinese wild card saved four of five break points and sent Fognini to the showers in 85 minutes. He will next face qualifier Malek Jaziri for a spot in the third round.
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In other action, Mikhail Youzhny upset 12th-seeded Ernests Gulbis, 6-4, 6-1, while Feliciano Lopez set up a second-round encounter with Rafael Nadal by edging Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis, 6-7(12), 6-3, 6-4.