Angry Andy loses in three set thriller

Andy Murray suffered a third set ankle injury and a dramatic third round defeat 7-5, 5-7, 6-7 (5) to Tomas Machac in the Miami Open.

The former World No. 1 had been showing signs of his best form following a slow start to 2024, which is expected to be his swansong season.

In a solid first set Murray secured his ninth break point to lead 6-5 and then served out to love.

The match had a thirty minute rain delay in the second set with Murray becoming increasingly agitated by crowd movement during his serve and snapped at umpire Carlos Bernardes.

At one point as he returned to his seat he shouted “Hold grudges! Awful decision!” before the umpire  asked him what he was  talking about.

A  furious Murray roared: “What are YOU talking about? It’s quite obvious when people are standing up between every single serve!”

Machac  broke Murray for the first time in the match at 6-5 in the second to level the match.

In the third set the 23-year-old Czech was broken when serving for the match at 5-3.

36-year-old Murray went to ground at the net with an ankle injury  and needed treatment from the physio after hitting a winner to level things up at 5-5 and took the match into a tiebreak.

The Scot led 5-4 in the breaker but Machac recovered his composure just in time, winning three points in a row to secure victory in three and a half hours.

Roger Parker

Recent Posts

Sabalenka sunk in straight-sets title loss to Ostapenko

Jelena Ostapenko rediscovered her clay-court touch after eight years on Monday and reaped the rewards with…

10 hours ago

Sabalenka hoping to turn her luck in Stuttgart

Aryna Sabalenka will work to break through on the Stuttgart indoor clay as the world…

1 day ago

Rune rises to the occasion with defeat of Alcaraz

Holger Rune battled past injured Carlos Alcaraz to spoil the Spanish Easter party at the…

1 day ago

Zverev grabs a birthday gift with third Munich title

Alexander Zverev turned 28 on Sunday and awarded himself a third title on his home…

1 day ago

Zverev fulfils home fan dreams to line up against Shelton

Alexander Zverev gave fans in Munich what they were after as the top seed rolled into…

2 days ago

Alcaraz masters tough conditions for third Barca final

Carlos Alcaraz booked his third straight final at the Barcelona Open on a windy Saturday,…

2 days ago