Late on Friday, as Andy Murray prepared for his second match at Indian Wells, a slice of good fortune fell his way. His second-round opponent, Pablo Carreño Busta, withdrew from the tournament because of injury and Murray instead lined up to play Radu Albot, a lucky loser who has spent most of his career in and out of the top 100.
While Murray would have had a great chance against Carreño Busta, a contest against one of the top counter‑punchers in slow and windy desert conditions was likely to drag on for three exhausting sets. Instead Murray quietly handled his business and won 6-4, 6-3, his first straight-sets win since September, and set up a fascinating third-round encounter with Jack Draper.
