Murray defeated the 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 to set up a meeting with third-seeded German Zverev, a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 in Indian Wells.
“I thought if he’s going to stand that far back and I’m getting no love from the court and the conditions, why not try it and see if I can bring him forward a little bit again?” Murray said of the underarm serve — his first in an ATP match.
“Wasn’t expecting, obviously, to get an ace out of it,” he added.
“I felt like in the second set he played maybe better,” Murray said. “First set I felt like I had more of the opportunities but didn’t get it so, yeah, happy with the way I fought.”
With this win 2016 Olympics gold medallist has reached to third round at the Indian Wells Masters.
Murray can expect a stern test in the third round from Zverev, winner of titles in Madrid and Cincinnati this season.
Zverev fired 28 winners against Brooksby but his 35 unforced errors were 14 more than his energetic opponent delivered.
“Especially in the second set I didn’t see the ball well on (one) side of the court because of the sun,” Zverev said. “It wasn’t an easy match, but I’m happy to be through, I’m happy to be in the third round and playing Andy now.”
