RACKET-SLAMMING Andy Murray suffered his worst-ever defeat on clay as he felt the ache in Spain.
The Scot was overwhelmed 6-2 7-6 in 91 minutes by Italian qualifier Andrea Vavassori – the world No.164 – within the first spherical of the Madrid Masters.
Andy Murray smashing his racket into his chairCredit score: Getty
Andy Murray suffered his worst-ever defeat on clay as he felt the ache in SpainCredit score: Getty
The Scot was overwhelmed 6-2 7-6 in 91 minutes by Italian qualifier Andrea VavassoriCredit score: Getty
Murray mentioned after defeat: “It wasn’t nice. Began to play a bit higher in direction of the tip however the begin was gradual.
“He performed very nicely at first and he’s serving large. A number of the errors, you realize, are laborious to elucidate.
“And the one on the web – it’s not a shot that prime gamers ought to be lacking. A nasty miss.”
Solely as soon as earlier than had the two-time Wimbledon hero misplaced to somebody exterior the highest 100 on the purple stuff – and that was in April 2006.
It doesn’t give him or his legion of followers any confidence that he’ll make any inroads when the tennis world descends on Paris on the finish of Might for the French Open.
There have been typical outbursts and shouts of anger in direction of his field as he was being given the runaround by the Turin no-hoper.
Although he saved 4 match factors within the second-set tie-breaker, he was unable to take Vavassori, 27, to a decider.
Murray, 35, regarded uncomfortable in direction of the tip, clutching his abdomen, and hit his gear on the ground in irritation – after which violently on his chair when the tie was over.
There was additionally the picture of Murray extremely lacking an open court docket whereas standing on the web, which left followers within the stands gasping in shock.
The world No52 additionally didn’t realise till the ultimate video games the place the shot clock was on the court docket.
For Vavassori, his reward for this victory – the most important of his profession – can be a second-round price with former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev.
Kyle Edmund performed fellow injury-hit star Dominic Thiem however he was defeated 6-4 6-1 within the opening match.
Andy Murray shakes palms with Andrea VavassoriCredit score: Getty