Machac downs Murray in Marseille, Foki notches 100th win

Tomas Machac ensured Andy Murray’s wait for a first tour-level win of 2024 continued on Tuesday at the Open 13 Provence, where the Czech moved past the former World No. 1 with a 7-5, 6-4 first-round victory.

Machac was rock solid in his maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash with Murray. The 23-year-old converted three of five break points he earned, according to Infosys ATP Stats, as he improved to 4-2 for the season after 97 minutes in southern France.

“It’s special to share the court with such a great player, such a legend,” said Machac in his on-court interview. “I’m super happy that I could play against him and that I won today is just a bonus.”

Awaiting the World No. 66 in the second round will be Lorenzo Musetti. After beating the World No. 49 Murray, Machac will be looking to improve on his 5-13 record against Top 50 opponents when he takes on the Italian sixth seed.

Earlier on Tuesday, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina rallied past home favourite Gregoire Barrere 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to register the 100th tour-level victory of his career. The Spaniard, competing for the first time since he announced his engagement, prevailed in a two-hour, five-minute battle to equal his best performance in Marseille from 2021.

1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ and counting...@alexdavidovich1 takes down Barrere 4-6 6-4 6-4 to clinch his 100th tour-level win!@Open13 | #open13provence pic.twitter.com/fSFbPGFGrw

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 6, 2024

Fifth seed Davidovich Fokina next plays Emil Ruusuvuori or #NextGenATP Frenchman Luca Van Assche, while Zhang Zhizhen also advanced to the second round with a comeback win. The Chinese star, competing at a career-high No. 50 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, defeated Giulio Zeppieri 6-7(9), 6-1, 6-4 to set a clash with Felix Auger-Aliassime or Quentin Halys.