Andy Murray makes winning return after fighting past Mackenzie McDonald to set up Kyle Edmund clash in Citi Open

World No 839 won his first match since missing Wimbledon after slogging through more than two-and-a-half hours to book a second-round clash against the British No 1

Andy Murray roars with delight after clinching victory by taking the third set 7-5. (AP)

Sir Andy Murray converted on his seventh match point to beat Mackenzie McDonald in three sets and set up a tie against fellow Brit Kyle Edmund at the Citi Open.

The two-time Wimbledon champion toiled for more than two-and-a-half hours against world number 80 McDonald, eventually taking the match 3-6 6-4 7-5.

McDonald, 23, broke two of Murray's opening three service games and wrapped up the first set 6-3 inside 40 minutes.

But Murray drew things level, taking a crucial game nine in the second for a 5-4 lead and serving out the set.

A 73-minute deciding set followed, in which Murray took an early break and found himself 5-4 up and serving for the match.

But McDonald saved five match points and converted his second break point to draw things level at 5-5.

Murray broke back immediately for a 6-5 lead following a controversial call when McDonald's racket was adjudged to have crossed the plane of the net at 30-30. The former British number one then made no mistake in serving out the match.

The 31-year-old skipped Wimbledon earlier this year and is playing in Washington as he continues his protracted recovery from long-term hip trouble.

Andy Murray returned to action after missing Wimbledon earlier this month (AP)

Murray had surgery on his right hip in January, only returning to action on June 18, facing Nick Kyrgios at Queen's.

"It was a tough, tough match," Murray said on the ATP website.

"It could have gone either way. Obviously, if you lose a match like that, it's a tough one. When I lost to (Teymuraz) Gabashvili here (three years ago), I lost serving for the match, so I was thinking about that a little bit, too. It is just nice to get through."

Murray was forced to fight for more than two-and-a-half hours (Getty) (Getty Images)

He added: "I wasn't dictating many of the points. I wasn't hitting the ball that cleanly. I just fought and tried to make it tough for him.

"Made a few little adjustments here and there. But mentally, it was a big one to get through."

He later overcame Stan Wawrinka at Eastbourne, only to lose in straight sets to Edmund two days later.

PA