[attachment=1]
In a neat piece of symmetry, Murray's last competitive match on clay also came against Wawrinka at this tournament in 2017, albeit at the semi-final stage.
Time has moved on considerably for both men, though Wawrinka has returned to the seeding positions of Grand Slams after injury woes of his own. Murray was out-of-sorts today and was dispatched with ease by his Swiss friend.
In the first set, Murray's first-serve percentage languished at 21%. That was clearly never going to be left u...
[attachment=1]
The match was a one-sided encounter. No doubt fatigued after his marathon five-set win, Murray was overpowered by the Canadian's booming groundstrokes. The Brit struggled on return, failing to create a break point.
The first set was dominated by Auger-Aliassime after he secured a break in the second game, hitting 18 winners compared to one from Murray.
The former US Open champion's play improved in the second set, but Auger-Aliassime broke in the eighth game before closing out the set with an ace.
Due to COVID-19 the US Open is being played in a "bubble", with no outside spectators allowed. This results in a decidedly flat atmosphere in the stadiums, where the main source of noise is the players themselves. Perhaps this contributed to Murray's early malaise. Perhaps it was the hot and humid conditions. Either way, the Brit was a shadow of his normal self for the first two sets.
Nishioka was playing well, but Murray almost seemed resigned to defeat from the outset. Five do...
[attachment=1]
The Scot could not find any sort of rhythm against Raonic, well-known for the strength of his service game. Indeed, the Canadian won nearly 90% of points on his first serve.
This was a weather-affected contest and a defeat that Murray took great displeasure from. After the match, Murray made his feelings known:
I don't know how much of it was due to the conditions at the beginning or if I was just a little bit slow. I don't know.
But I was really not happy with that at all. I have much higher standar...
After ten months out due to injury and the global pandemic, it's hard to gauge Murray's form. On the evidence so far this week it's safe to say that he is at the very least a threat to the best players in the world.
Murray eased through the first set, chasing down drop shots and showing the sort of outrageous court coverage that has become his hallmark. His attacking game was in fine fettle as well, especially on the return of serve. Zverev's second delivery is fragile at best, and Murray capitalised, often meeting the return just feet fr...
[attachment=1]
This Masters 1000 tournament is traditionally played in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. However, in another sign of the upside down world imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, the event is this year being held in New York - despite the courtside hoardings suggesting we are in Cincy as usual.
Happily for Murray and his fans, this Tour comeback was preceded by several exhibition tournaments so the Scot had had prior opportunities to sharpen his skills.
Tiafoe, aged 22 and ranked 81 as the Tour resumes,...
This victory was notable not just because of the quality of the tennis, but because it marks the end of a 10 month period which began with Murray retiring from the sport all together. The Brit tearfully announced his exit after a first round defeat at the Australian open, citing a hip so badly damaged it left him unable to enjoy normal day to day activities, let alone compete at the top.
One hip resurfacing operation and months of gutsy rehab later and Murray is close to his best.
Wawrink has suffered his own share of injury...
[attachment=1]
This stubborn win followed another three set battle against Marius Copil in the quarterfinals on Friday night, though Murray let slip a winning position in the second set there.
Saturday’s comeback win began with Murray showing signs of tiredness after his exertions of the recent days and weeks.
The Scot struggled on serve and Humbert seized his break chance to move into a one set lead.
A break apiece in the second saw the set heading towards a tiebreak, but Murray pounced at the ideal time to l...
It was an encouraging performance for Murray, much improved from his opening match.
[attachment=1]
Murray had the clear upper hand in the first set, with Cuevas often under pressure on serve – he fought off seven break points. But the Brit made the crucial breakthrough at 5-4 to clinch the set.
Cuevas started the second set better, with Murray having to save four break points.
No further opportunities presented themselves for the Uruguayan though as the Brit held firm on serve.
The former world number one broke in the sixth g...
The Brit started brightly, cruising to a 3-0 lead in the first set. Any thoughts of a quick victory were quickly banished when Murray coughed up three double faults to hand the break back. From then on Coppejans - a wild card with a world ranking of 158 - went toe to toe with former world number one.
[attachment=1]
A break in the 10th game was enough to seal the first set, before a tiebreak was required in the second.
Murray will meet eighth seed Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay in the last 16.