Murray loses to De Minaur
Andy Murray's run at the Zhuhai Championships came to an end after a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 loss to seventh seed Alex de Minaur in the last 16.
In a close but physically gruelling match, Murray fell just short in three sets. It was nonetheless another encouraging performance, with the Brit fighting hard during the two hour and 42 minute contest.
Murray made a nervy start and was broken in the third game. But he rebounded to level at 3-3, deploying his slice well to put 20-year-old De Minaur on the defensive. He broke again at 5-4 to seal the set.
De Minaur stepped up his level in the second set, breaking immediately and causing Murray a lot of problems with his pace. He never looked back, powering through the set to eventually take it 6-2.
Murray faced danger in the first game of the third set, but was able to hold De Minaur off. The rest of the set was fairly evenly matched until 5-4, with De Minaur taking advantage of a weak second serve to break.
Serving for the match proved difficult for the Australian, with Murray carving out three break points. But De Minaur managed to hold on, and converted his second match point to take the match.
Commenting after the match, Murray said:
Murray has a packed tournament schedule over the next few weeks. After the China Open next week, he is due to play at the Shanghai Masters followed by the Antwerp European Open.
In a close but physically gruelling match, Murray fell just short in three sets. It was nonetheless another encouraging performance, with the Brit fighting hard during the two hour and 42 minute contest.
Murray made a nervy start and was broken in the third game. But he rebounded to level at 3-3, deploying his slice well to put 20-year-old De Minaur on the defensive. He broke again at 5-4 to seal the set.
De Minaur stepped up his level in the second set, breaking immediately and causing Murray a lot of problems with his pace. He never looked back, powering through the set to eventually take it 6-2.
Murray faced danger in the first game of the third set, but was able to hold De Minaur off. The rest of the set was fairly evenly matched until 5-4, with De Minaur taking advantage of a weak second serve to break.
Serving for the match proved difficult for the Australian, with Murray carving out three break points. But De Minaur managed to hold on, and converted his second match point to take the match.
Commenting after the match, Murray said:
"I'm not playing top 20 or top 30 tennis right now. I'm probably playing top 70 or top 60 sort of level. However, I can still make a few improvements in the next couple of days before playing in Beijing."
Murray has a packed tournament schedule over the next few weeks. After the China Open next week, he is due to play at the Shanghai Masters followed by the Antwerp European Open.
add comment | 5 comments
Thanks, Katie. I managed to see a wee bit at work, thanks to Tonedial’s ever gratefully received link. Good to watch him again and hoping he can go from strength to strength.
September 26, 2019, 11:11 pm
By Elly
By Elly
Thanks for the report Katie. I was unable to see the match at the time, apart from the final game, but have now watched a replay. Some very impressive play from both, with young de Minaur for once living up to the hype. Thought his on-court behaviour was remarkably mature as well. Probably a pity that the off season is so close because there's no doubt that match practice is what Andy needs, and the more of it the better, without actually overdoing it. Still, it was great to see him playing once again free from the crippling pain in his hip.
September 27, 2019, 03:20 am
By Aileen
By Aileen
I didn't see the match either so thank you Katie very much for your report.
September 27, 2019, 06:36 am
By moonglow
By moonglow
Thanks Katie. Lots of "reasons to be cheerful."
September 27, 2019, 07:03 am
By blueberryhill
By blueberryhill
Thanks for the report Katie, I watched the match Andy did some amazing shots, like days of old. But as the match went on you could see he was tired, some points he looked like he would pass out. Andy will get his physical mojo going we just have to be patient, still as exciting as ever to watch.
September 27, 2019, 09:56 am
By ChrisMac
By ChrisMac