Andy Murray produces error-laden display in defeat to Facundo Bagnis in Melbourne

ATP Tour
Andy Murray plays a shot

Andy Murray endured a frustrating start to the new year as he was beaten by world No 76 Facundo Bagnis in the first round of the Melbourne Summer Series.

The 34-year-old produced an error-strewn display as he fell 6-3 5-7 6-3 to Bagnis, leaving him plenty of work to do ahead of this month’s Australian Open.

Murray had harboured hopes of making a competitive start to 2022 after reaching the final of an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi in December, where he was beaten by Andrey Rublev.

Andy Murray frustrated

Andy Murray showed his frustration in defeat to Facundo Bagnis (Hamish Blair/AP)

But those hopes largely evaporated in a disappointing display which left the Scot slamming his racket into his bench in frustration midway through the deciding set.

Bagnis, who has never gone beyond the third round of a grand slam tournament, took the first set but Murray responded well with a dominant second to level matters.

However, Murray was afflicted by a poor ball toss and dreadful second-serve percentage, enabling Bagnis to grab the crucial break in the fifth game of the final set before serving out to take the match.

Murray has accepted a wildcard into the Australian Open, two years after indicating his appearance in Melbourne was likely to be his last due to impending hip surgery.

Andy Murray Facundo Bagnis

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