Andy Murray bowed out of the ATP indoor event in Gijon as a comeback attempt faded away in a 6=3, 1-6, 6-1 quarter-final loss on Friday to Sebastian Korda.
The three-time Grand Slam champion wild card trailed 3-0 in the third se against the son of a former Australian Open champion, but held a 40-0 lead to get on the scoreboard.
Korda derailed that scenario through four deuces, fighting back to break the former No. 1 now ranked 48th for a 4-0 lead which all but sealed the two and a half hour match.
Korda advanced into the final four on the first of three match points with a forehand winndown down the line which Murray could not touch.
Murray seemed to have his difference with the chair umpire whom he complained did not make timely calls on obvious shorts, forcing players to challenge instead of the officials taking control of the match.
Korda was pleased to move through in the first-time showdown.
“Even if I lost the second set I was playing pretty well, he won the important games of the set,” the winner said.
“But I stuck with my game plan, stayed positive and patient.
“It’s been going very good for me so far here.”
Korda struck seven aces to the five of Murray and broke the 35-year-old veteran four times from 10 chances while losing his own serve three times.
