WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray's singles return began with his loss to Richard Gasquet Monday at the Cincinnati Masters on Monday.

Richard Gasquet, the two-time champion in the US Open warm-up, had little difficulty beating Murray 6-4, 6-4 by pushing him from side to side.

"I think I did okay. I think there were a lot of things I would like to have done better in the match, but you also have to be somewhat realistic, in terms of what you can expect," Murray said after the match, satisfied with his overall performance.

His last singles match at the Australian Open on January 14 was a five-set loss, which he feared might be the end of his career.

The 32-year-old is still recovering from the right hip resurfacing surgery on January 28.