Read & Watch: Murray Brothers Prevail In Washington Doubles Reunion

Andy Murray broke down in tears last year at the Citi Open after a third-round singles win over Marius Copil that finished after 3:00 a.m. This year, the Brit returned to Washington and scored another victory on Wednesday under much happier circumstances.

Teaming with brother Jamie Murray, the popular pair won the last eight points of their first-round match to defeat Wimbledon finalists Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-4, 6-7(7), 10-5. Their draw doesn't get any easier as they next face third seeds Raven Klaasen and Michael Venus or Roland Garros champions Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies. 

“It was a good atmosphere. It felt like there were some good points and quick reactions out there,” said Andy. “I’m in a much better place than I was last year. Physically, I’m so much better now. To be competing again and pain-free is brilliant.”

Murray/Murray earned the first break of the match at 5-4 in the opening set after Jamie laced a backhand winner between the Frenchmen. Both teams held serve throughout the second set to force a tie-break, but the British brothers were unable to convert two match points at 6/4. A forehand volley from Mahut erased a third match point at 7/6 and an aggressive backhand volley from Roger-Vasselin two points later brought their clash to a Match Tie-break.

It appeared the French duo would score an impressive comeback victory after a pair of return winners gave them a commanding 5/2 advantage. But Murray/Murray found a new gear and erased both mini-breaks against them, then unleashed four consecutive winners to set up four match points. A strong serve from Jamie wrapped up play after one hour and 52 minutes.

The Murray brothers were competing together for the first time since 2016 and in their first tour-level event as a team since 2013 Indian Wells. Their two ATP Tour doubles titles together came at 2010 Valencia (d. Bhupathi/Mirnyi) and 2011 Tokyo (d. Cermak/Polasek). Jamie prevailed at this event last year with Bruno Soares (d. M. Bryan/Roger-Vasselin).

Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau moved into the last eight over fourth seeds Mate Pavic and Bruno Soares 7-6(9), 2-6, 10-7. The 2014 champions saved three set points in the first-set tie-break en route to prevailing in one hour and 42 minutes. Next up for Rojer/Tecau are four-time Washington champions Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan or Treat Huey and Denis Kudla.