- Murray misplaced 6-4, 6-2, 6-2, failing to benefit from early break alternatives
- The efficiency was a distinction to the struggle he confirmed in competitors final yr
- Former world No 1 Murray will now drop out of world’s prime 50 following the consequence
The solar seemed to be setting for Andy Murray on day two of the Australian Open as he made a tame exit from the primary Grand Slam of the season.
The five-times finalist at Melbourne Park went down 6-4 6-2 6-2 in two hours and 24 minutes in opposition to the quantity 30 seed from Argentina, Tomas Martin Etecheverry, in contrasting trend to the blazing defiance of twelve months in the past. He left the courtroom with a protracted, lingering wave to the group.
This time a yr in the past Murray fought again to register dramatic wins in opposition to Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis, however this time he couldn’t muster a response to the extraordinarily strong however hardly devastating recreation of the Argentinian.
Etcheverry was adequate to benefit from a show from his opponent which featured a very misfiring serve and forehand as blazing afternoon sunshine was early night.
The 36 year-old Scot will now drop out of the world’s prime fifty after failing to mount considered one of his well-known comebacks.
Andy Murray is out of the Australian Open after dropping to Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight units within the first spherical
Aware that he has been too harsh on himself at instances final season, he even seemed vaguely subdued in making his first spherical departure.
Despite the help of a packed crowd in a packed KIA Arena, the extremely cell Etcheverry by no means actually seemed at risk as soon as he had eked out a primary set during which there had been some promise for the British veteran.
Early breaks have been exchanged and Murray missed a break level to guide 4-2. In the seventh recreation he was then damaged simply earlier than the primary change of the Dunlop balls which fluff up badly after about fifteen minutes’ utilization.
Etcheverry by no means actually seemed at risk following a primary set which noticed Murray pile the strain on his opponent
He made life tough for himself with a primary serve proportion initially under 50, and within the second set his forehand was particularly wayward. Murray was damaged for 3-2 within the third set, and the match concluded with him dropping the final 4 video games in opposition to a extremely environment friendly opponent.
Murray ended with 21 winners and 37 unforced errors, the final of which was a forehand slapped into the web. He left the courtroom to a sympathetic reception, but it surely appears unsure whether or not he can be again at this occasion. Optimism going ahead felt briefly provide.