It seemed set to be one other irritating afternoon for three-time Grand Slam winner Murray in opposition to a well-known opponent within the Japanese qualifier, to whom he misplaced on the Australian Open in January earlier than exacting a measure of revenge in Qatar final month.
World No114 Daniel simply took the primary set 6-1, however Murray battled again to take the second 6-2 and drive a decider, which he ultimately gained 6-4.
Murray – who final week introduced a shock reunion with former coach Ivan Lendl, the third time the duo could have labored collectively – will face Kazakh Alexander Bublik within the subsequent spherical in California in a key event typically dubbed as tennis’ unofficial “fifth Grand Slam”.
Murray has mentioned he intends to donate the remainder of his prize cash in 2022 to kids affected by the continued warfare in Ukraine.
“I’m previous now so these 11am. begins, it takes me a little bit of time to get going,” Murray joked in his post-match interview. “However Taro performed extraordinarily nicely. He’s began the 12 months very nicely.
“He’s a really unorthodox participant. He’s unbelievably gifted, bought nice hand expertise and performs completely different to numerous guys on the tour lately. He began this 12 months nicely, but when I play nicely, I’ve bought a shot.”
Emma Raducanu had no harm issues as she defeated France’s Caroline Garcia in spherical two
/ Getty PhotosFellow Brit Raducanu initially seemed set to overlook Indian Wells after being advised there was “no likelihood” she would be capable to play following the leg harm that pressured her retirement in opposition to Daria Saville on the Guadalajara Open in Mexico a fortnight in the past.
Nonetheless, the 19-year-old – handed a bye by the primary spherical – brushed apart these health worries as she booked a spot within the spherical of 32 after seeing off France’s former world No4 Garcia 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 to tee up a gathering with Croatia’s Petra Martic subsequent.
It was solely Raducanu’s fourth victory on tour since her shock US Open triumph at Flushing Meadows final 12 months.
