Murray departs US Open with loss to Verdasco
Andy Murray suffered an early defeat at the US Open, losing 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to 31st seed Fernando Verdasco in the second round.
In oppressive, sweltering conditions, Murray fought hard and showed flashes of his old form but clearly struggled physically as the match wore on with temperatures reaching close to 38C.
The first set was highly competitive, the pair trading four breaks to draw level at 4-4. Murray was having success stepping in to return Verdasco's vulnerable second serve, while the Spaniard's aggressive ballstriking was testing the Brit's defence.
A set point opportunity for Murray came at 4-5 but Verdasco served an ace out wide to get out of danger.
There was a sense of a missed opportunity for Murray and the Spaniard took full advantage in the next game, breaking to take a 6-5 lead. Although the Brit was able to carve out a set point chance in the next game, Verdasco clung on to take the set.
Murray rebounded strongly in the second set, breaking for a second time after an exchange of breaks to take a 4-2 lead. His return was causing the Spaniard a lot of difficulties, and a double fault on set point levelled the match.
An immediate break at the start of the third set proved costly for the Brit. Verdasco's serving had improved, making it difficult to make inroads on return.
Murray was showing signs of exhaustion (a combination of the heat and his lack of recent slam match practice) but kept on competing, fighting to erase a double-break lead in the middle of the set. But Verdasco held on to take a two sets to one lead.
The players went off court at the end of the set to take a 10-minute extreme heat break. When they returned, Murray complained that Verdasco had been talking to his team in the locker room – against the rules. Verdasco denied that he had been talking to his coach.
The Spaniard broke for a 4-3 lead in the fourth set and looked to be heading to victory. But nerves kicked in when serving for the match. Under pressure from a spirited Murray, he hit two double faults along with some wild errors. He clung on through five break points, eventually winning the match after a 104mph second serve forced Murray long on the third match point.
While Murray's US Open has ended earlier than he would have liked, he played plenty of good tennis in this match and remained competitive throughout. His journey back to top-flight tennis may well be a long one, but he is making encouraging progress.
In oppressive, sweltering conditions, Murray fought hard and showed flashes of his old form but clearly struggled physically as the match wore on with temperatures reaching close to 38C.
The first set was highly competitive, the pair trading four breaks to draw level at 4-4. Murray was having success stepping in to return Verdasco's vulnerable second serve, while the Spaniard's aggressive ballstriking was testing the Brit's defence.
A set point opportunity for Murray came at 4-5 but Verdasco served an ace out wide to get out of danger.
There was a sense of a missed opportunity for Murray and the Spaniard took full advantage in the next game, breaking to take a 6-5 lead. Although the Brit was able to carve out a set point chance in the next game, Verdasco clung on to take the set.
Murray rebounded strongly in the second set, breaking for a second time after an exchange of breaks to take a 4-2 lead. His return was causing the Spaniard a lot of difficulties, and a double fault on set point levelled the match.
An immediate break at the start of the third set proved costly for the Brit. Verdasco's serving had improved, making it difficult to make inroads on return.
Murray was showing signs of exhaustion (a combination of the heat and his lack of recent slam match practice) but kept on competing, fighting to erase a double-break lead in the middle of the set. But Verdasco held on to take a two sets to one lead.
The players went off court at the end of the set to take a 10-minute extreme heat break. When they returned, Murray complained that Verdasco had been talking to his team in the locker room – against the rules. Verdasco denied that he had been talking to his coach.
The Spaniard broke for a 4-3 lead in the fourth set and looked to be heading to victory. But nerves kicked in when serving for the match. Under pressure from a spirited Murray, he hit two double faults along with some wild errors. He clung on through five break points, eventually winning the match after a 104mph second serve forced Murray long on the third match point.
While Murray's US Open has ended earlier than he would have liked, he played plenty of good tennis in this match and remained competitive throughout. His journey back to top-flight tennis may well be a long one, but he is making encouraging progress.
add comment | 6 comments
Thank you Katy. 
Lots of reasons to be cheerful. Thought his movement was generally good, tho obviously not as fast as before. Also thought he seemed much more confident with his forehand and managed to fire some rockets. More aggressive, I thought.
Obviously the incredibly high, for Andy, UE count was down to rust. His serve % was extremely worrying but have read elsewhere he is trying to modify his serve to have pressure off his hip. Anyone got any thoughts on this?
Ref was
Thought that over-rule of the line judge, way out of his eye-line, cost Andy the first set. 
Lots of reasons to be cheerful. Thought his movement was generally good, tho obviously not as fast as before. Also thought he seemed much more confident with his forehand and managed to fire some rockets. More aggressive, I thought.
Obviously the incredibly high, for Andy, UE count was down to rust. His serve % was extremely worrying but have read elsewhere he is trying to modify his serve to have pressure off his hip. Anyone got any thoughts on this?
Ref was
Thought that over-rule of the line judge, way out of his eye-line, cost Andy the first set.
August 30, 2018, 02:04 pm
By blueberryhill
By blueberryhill
Thank you Katie - I do think this year's USO will be remembered for how well Andy played.
But it'll also be remembered because of the heat, which surely affected Andy and many other players adversely.
But there are positives to be gained, so well done Andy
But it'll also be remembered because of the heat, which surely affected Andy and many other players adversely.
But there are positives to be gained, so well done Andy
August 30, 2018, 03:10 pm
By moonglow
By moonglow
Now that Andy is out, the US Open are only half as interesting. A victory against Verdasco was possible even though Andy was not fully fit. This is a good sign. And I liked his more pro-active approach in contrast to his first match. I am looking forward to seeing him playing again soon. We have not been spoilt in this respect over the past year, have we.
Thank you for the encouraging report.
Thank you for the encouraging report.
August 31, 2018, 08:04 pm
By counter_ puncher
By counter_ puncher
Thank you Katie , watched the highlights , what a warrior Andy is , I really feel he’s going in the right direction ..
August 31, 2018, 09:02 pm
By deb
By deb
Thank you for a fair and positive report Katie.
August 31, 2018, 09:04 pm
By Aileen
By Aileen
Thanks Katie nice post
September 01, 2018, 08:53 am
By ChrisMac
By ChrisMac