Defending champ Cilic eases through

London, June 17

Defending champion Marin Cilic eased into the second round of the Queen’s Club Championships after beating Chile’s Christian Garin 6-1 7-6(5) in one hour and 17 minutes. The Croatian, who defeated Novak Djokovic in last year’s final, will next play Diego Schwartzman. The Argentine beat qualifier Alexander Bublik 6-2 6-3.

Fourth seed Daniil Medvedev saved five break points before beating Fernando Verdasco 6-2 6-4. 

Kevin Anderson rallied from a set down to beat  Cameron Norrie 4-6 7-6(5) 6-4. Nicholas Mahut overcame  Frances Tiafoe 6-3 7-6(5).

Murray’s love of tennis

Andy Murray has said that surgery helped him rediscover his passion for tennis as he prepares to make his comeback at Queen’s Club.

The 32-year-old will feature in the men’s doubles alongside Spaniard Feliciano Lopez on Wednesday, five months after undergoing a hip resurfacing operation.

“There have been a number of times over the past 18 months where I did want to stop,” he said. Now I like playing tennis, getting out on the court and hitting balls.” — Agencies

Herbert ousts Monfils, Zverev eases through 

Halle (Germany): France’s Pierre-Hugue Herbert beat veteran compatriot Gael Monfils 7-6(6) 6-4 in the first round of the Noventi Open. German veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber suffered a second first-round defeat on home soil in the space of a week. Kohlschreiber, who also lost in the first round in Stuttgart last week, lost 6-3 6-3 to Steve Johnson. World No. 5 Alexander Zverev breezed into the second round with a 6-4 7-5 victory over Dutchman Robin Hasse.