Andy Murray grabs first singles win as he continues comeback

Andy Murray prepares to unleash a backhand during his 6-0, 6-1 win over teenager Imran Sibille at the Rafa Nadal Open. Picture: Rafa Nadal Sports Centre/PA Wire

Murray, currently ranked 328th in the world, won 6-0 6-1 in just 44 minutes.

“It was good, it’s nice to get back on the court playing matches again,” he said courtside. “It’s nice so many people came out to watch. It’s a brilliant place to play tennis and great conditions.”

Sibille, a trainee at the Rafa Nadal Academy which is hosting the event, avoided a whitewash by winning the penultimate game.

The 17-year-old Frenchman does not have an ATP ranking and stands at equal 2,792nd on the International Tennis Federation’s system.

Murray is due to face third seed Norbert Gombos, who is ranked 116th in the world, in the second round.

He added: “It’ll be a tough match, against the third seed. He made the quarter finals of the ATP tour in Washington a few weeks ago. It’ll be a good test for me.”

Three-time major winner Murray is building up his match fitness after the implantation of a metal hip in January.

He has played in two ATP Tour events and is now competing on the second-tier Challenger Tour for the first time since 2005.

The 32-year-old Scot pulled out of the doubles at the US Open to concentrate on his singles comeback.