Andy Murray has lost 6-4 6-4 to Richard Gasquet in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters, the Briton’s first singles match since hip surgery.

Murray’s service was broken in the opening game of his first-round clash with the Frenchman on Monday, and the understandably rusty-looking former world No.1, who is working his way back from hip surgery, found himself within a point of a 3-0 deficit.

However, warming to his task, he fought back to lead 3-2 before Gasquet, employing a series of drop shots as he moved the Briton around the court, turned the screw to take the first set 6-4.

The second set started in much the same way as the first, as Gasquet, who missed the first four months of the season with a groin injury, broke in the opening game and then backed it up to lead 2-0.

But Murray showed a deft touch to hold serve with a half-volleyed lob and then produced a string of winners to push his opponent hard before he made it 3-1 with an ace.

The Scot once again showed his mettle, putting pressure on the Gasquet serve and holding his next two to make it 4-3 with his game improving all the time.

Both men held to allow the Frenchman to serve for the match at 5-4, and he needed no second invitation to seal a 6-4 6-4 victory.