Andy Murray notches SIXTH straight win defeating Joris De Loore in opening match at Nottingham Open

Andy Murray’s quest to secure a seeded spot at Wimbledon gained further momentum on Tuesday as he notched up his sixth straight win since returning to the grass.

Having ended his seven-year wait for a title on this surface at Surbiton last week, the Scot kicked off his first visit to the Nottingham Open since 2006 with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over world No 194 Joris De Loore of Belgium.

Murray’s decision to skip the French Open and focus on racking up ranking points on the grass looks wiser by the day. 

To achieve his stated aim of a seeded position at SW19, he would need another title here and a significant run at Queen’s next week.

Having served his way through blustery conditions, sealing victory with his 11th ace of the day. 

Andy Murray sealed his sixth straight win today at the Nottingham Open after his triumph at Surbiton last week

He completed a with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over world No 194 Joris De Loore of Belgium (pictured)

Murray is hoping to continue winning in Nottingham and at Queens to secure a seeded spot at Wimbledon  

Murray said: ‘The main thing is to get as many matches as possible in different conditions with different styles of opponent. 

‘These courts are similar to Wimbledon’s in the second week… so hopefully I’ll be in the second week!’

The 36-year-old’s next opponent is Hugo Grenier of France, who saw off Britain’s Jan Choinski 6-4, 6-4. 

Five GB men are through to round two while Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage won in the women’s event on Tuesday.

Last year’s Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios was beaten in his first match since October following knee surgery, going down 7-5, 6-3 in Stuttgart to China’s Yibing Wu.