Top seed Novak Djokovic fought to subdue the explosive game of Gael Monfils, taking almost three hours to post a 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-2) victory at the Toronto Masters as the Serb played his first match in more than a month.
Eighth seed Andy Murray, a recent Wimbledon champion like Djokovic, achieved a similar winning result with far less effort, advancing into the third round after a bye 6-2, 6-2 over Australian wild card Nick Kyrgios in 54 minutes.
Newly-married Djokovic, coming off his Wimbledon win last month, battled to win his tenth match without a loss against Monfils, who repeatedly put his legendary shot-making athleticism on display.
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The Swiss-based Frenchman went up a break in the third set, 3-1, but lost it a game later. He threatened again late in the set, going up 6-5 after winning a game lasting nine minutes. But Djokovic found an extra gear and took the set to a tiebreaker.
The world number one Serb earned a 5-1 lead in the tiebreaker and secured four match points after a return from Monfils landed just millimetres out. Djokovic claimed the win on his first opportunity, a forehand down the line.
He advanced with 36 winners, 49 unforced errors, while breaking on three of 10 chances.
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“I’m not feeling tired, I’m not exhausted, I haven’t played a tournament for four weeks. I of course look forward to compete more.”
Murray was ruthless; as he dominated the 19-year-old Kyrgios. Murray, the Canadian champion in 2009 and 2010, showed the results of several weeks of training in Miami with new coach Amelie Mauresnmo as he saw off the Aussie challenge.
“I thought I did most things like pretty solid. I didn’t make too many errors. I moved well, I had a high first serve percentage,” said the Scot. “It was solid for a first match back after sort of four and a half, five weeks. I was happy.” Murray and Djokovic will both face French opponents for quarter-final places, with the Scot taking on 12th seed Richard Gasquet after he beat Ivo Karlovic 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3. Djokovic will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a winner over Jeremy Chardy 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.
Spanish fifth seed David Ferrer opened on summer hardcourt with a defeat of American Michael Russell 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 while Canadian sixth seed and weekend Washington champion Milos Raonic fired 16 aces in a tight win over Jack Sock 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-4) in nearly two and a half hours.