An emotional Andy Murray made a triumphant return to hardcourts on Monday in his first match on the surface for nearly 17 months, outlasting Mackenzie McDonald at the ATP Washington Open. The three-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1, who missed 11 months with a right hip injury and surgery last January, defeated the 80th-ranked American 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Back-breaking win
Murray, who has fallen to 832nd in the rankings, needed seven match points to subdue McDonald, squandering five before being broken in the 10th game of the final set before breaking back and finally ending matters after two hours and 37 minutes. "I fought hard and I had to," Murray said. "The movements and stuff were fine. I didn't break down. It lasted pretty well." The Scotsman, 31, unleashed a primal scream and a right fist-pumping frenzy of joy after McDonald hit a forehand long on the final point.