Andy Murray edges Robin Haase for first ATP win since September

Facing the fifth consecutive ATP loss for the first time in a career, the three-time Major champion Andy Murray prevailed over Robin Haase 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 in Rotterdam first round.

The Briton needed two hours and 30 minutes to topple the home player, failing to steal Haase's serve in the opening two sets and overcoming a 3-0 deficit in the decider to advance into the last 16, securing his first ATP win since September. Haase served at 71% in the opening set and fended off both break points he faced, stealing Murray's serve twice for commanding 6-2.

The Dutch player fended off those two break chances in the second game and won four straight return points in game three to secure a break following Andy's backhand error that sent him 3-1 ahead. The Briton netted another backhand in game five to fall further behind, allowing Robin to claim the set with a service winner in game eight for 6-2 in 35 minutes. Both players served well in the second set's opening five games, and the home player held after deuce in game six to lock the result at 3-3.

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In the next game, Murray fended off a break chance with a booming serve that kept him alive and erased another break point following a great rally and a smash winner. They served well in the rest of the set, and Andy opened a 4-1 lead in the tie break with a service winner, delivering another at 6-2 to close the set and force a decider. The Briton wasted game points in the final set's second game and got broken when the Dutchman landed a backhand crosscourt winner that sent him 2-0 in front.

Returning at 1-3, Murray fired a backhand crosscourt winner to pull the break back and steal Robin's serve for the first time. Battling for every point, Andy held in game six with an ace to rattle off three straight games and lock the result at 3-3. Carried by this momentum, Murray grabbed the second straight break when Hasse netted a backhand to move 4-3 up and take a big step towards the finish line. Returning at 5-3, the former world no. 1 secured the third consecutive break to move over the top and reach the last 16.