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[allyh84]

Andy Murray crashed out of the Montreal Masters 1000 event in straight sets to the confident, forthright Kevin Anderson, losing 6-3, 6-1.

Despite winning the tournament last year, Murray showed all the signs of ring rust after over a month off following Wimbledon, and never found his stride. 

Anderson, assigned the role of underdog, got his teeth into the match first. His intimidating 6 foot 8 frame worked to his advantage as he entered the fray with big serves and clinical net play. Murray looked flummoxed from the off and a double fault gave his South African opponent a 2-0 lead.

Anderson continued to stand further forwards and fire bombs at Murray, keeping the points short. His wingspan at the net was a huge advantage but Murray laboured hard at the back of the court. Numerous times it took Anderson more than one smash to put the Scot away.

Truth be told, Murray didn’t do too much wrong in the first set. Serving at 5-2 down, Murray calmly strode through the game to make Anderson serve – that’s not forgetting a brilliant skidding backhand down the line from a stretching Anderson. The 25-year-old year old served out in serene fashion and was a worthy victor with 16 winners in the first.

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It was an even sorrier, if not wretched story for Murray in the second set. A swashbuckling return gave Anderson a break, before he held to go 2-0 up for a commanding lead.

However a rare double fault gave Murray two break points with the score at 2-1. Anderson, who played with heart and courage all match, was again refreshingly cavalier and rushed forwards before Murray dumped a return into the net to relinquish the game. Murray’s precious break points came as quickly as they went.

Serving at a measly 29% first serves in, Murray careered into a poor spell of form. Three weak errors from the Scot gifted Anderson a crucial second break and a 4-1 lead. Worse was to come with Murray serving to stay in it at 5-1 – his fifth double fault, a nonsensical forehand error and a thundering Anderson winner cemented victory for the unfancied South African. 

Anderson’s huge build aided him here, even though he doesn’t have too many weapons - think John Isner or Ivo Karlovic. His serve was big, his court coverage was outstanding for such a large man, and he is indicative of how height is becoming so important in tennis.

Murray, 6 foot 3 himself, gave up five inches to his opponent and struggled all afternoon with the height and length of Anderson’s serve. The angles in particular from Anderson were devilish. After an intense summer training camp and a brief work-out here, Murray will lick his wounds before the Cincinnati Masters 1000 event next week.

[allyh84]

Haha, not surprising coming from you. Anderson was quality in the first, hitting winners all over the place. I'll leave you to it whilst you jump off a bridge. OMG TENNIS IS OVER FOREVER NOW!

[scotsgeek28]

WFT Andy?!! I casually check the score expecting to see an easy win (distracted by news like everyone else) only to find out he has been well and truly humped in north america again by another noob.

Doubt you will see this kind of embarrassment from one of the elite three.  Has chucked away a pile of points.  All we can hope for is better next week.  I thought after his strong performances in April through June all this was a thing of the past.  Rustiness is no excuse whatsoever, he should beat Anderson on any day on any surface at any time.

To lose to this guy in such a humiliating way is a total kick up the arse for him.

Come on Andy, pull it together in Cincy!

[scotsgeek28]

People were saying Donald Young played well earlier in the year.  I don't care how well Anderson played this is an absolutely disastrous and shocking defeat.

As much as I love Andy this level of performance is just not good enough for himself.

[Lucky Loser]

 
this is non believable 

[boogers]

Are you drinking Carlsberg Special Brew you looted from the local Lidl?

[adb..OH]

Something must've gone wrong in the plan.  It happens & has happened to all players. So sorry, Andy.  Don't let it get you down.  On to plan B.

[Ruthie]

Having put Sky on pause I then went down to see what the pundits had to say.  And the dreaded Barry Cowan (supposedly rob h of the pundits) was considerably less negative about the implications of this than people here have been, as were the other comms reflecting briefly on it later.  And it was pointed out that it's good that Andy is playing dubs so can get some match practice before Cinci.   Of course it was an awful performance but let's hope it was just a combination of rust, a bad day and Kevin Anderson playing really well.  Peter Fleming was really positive about how Anderson was playing and remember he has been touted as the most improved player.  That said of course I'm not happy with Andy's performance and just hope and pray it was a blip and not another slump.