Be surprised by the opening (5)

I believe the answer is:

start

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'opening' is the definition.
(both can mean the beginning)

'be surprised by the' is the wordplay.
'be surprised by' becomes 'star' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'the' becomes 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects).
'star'+'t'='START'

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(Other definitions for start that I've seen before include "Take the first step" , "Outset" , "Set in motion" , "launch" , "Jump suddenly" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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