Andy Murray battles brilliantly but falls just short in potential final match
Andy Murray was beaten in the opening round of the Australian Open after losing a four-hour marathon to Roberto Bautista Agut.
The former world number one tearfully admitted on Thursday that this tournament may be his last due to the constant pain of his ongoing hip condition.
He looked very rusty too, surrendering the first two sets to the in-form Bautista Agut both by a margin of 6-4.
The Brit, though, more admired for his warrior resolve than any of his other array of talents, dug deep.
He took both of the next sets to tiebreaks, winning them both to force a decider.
However, as the clock ticked over the four-hour mark, Murray was visibly tiring from the efforts of hauling himself back into the match.
He floundered, and Bautista Agut, who won the title in Doha at the start of the month, was able to close out a storied 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 6-2 win.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Tennis betting preview: 5/1 Roger Federer to be the Wizard of Oz once more
-
I think bananas are a pathetic fruit: Andy Murray’s brilliant career in quotes
-
Quiz! Test your knowledge on the history of the Australian Open
-
Comment: Best of British Andy Murray deserves so much better than forced finish
-
T365 Recall: 2009 Australian Open final featuring Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
-
Latest
-
NewsMore Australian Open players go into isolation taking number up to 72
Forty-seven had already been told they had to stay in their rooms for 14 days.
-
NewsHow Australian Open players are keeping themselves occupied in quarantine
A total of 47 players were told they would have to stay in their rooms for 14 days.
-
NewsAustralian Open preparations rocked by fourth positive Covid case
A positive test was returned by a broadcast team member on a charter flight from Los Angeles.
-
NewsPlayers were made aware of isolation risks on arrival to Australia – Craig Tiley
Forty seven players will have to remain in their hotel rooms for 14 days.
-
Australian OpenAndy Murray’s waiting game as anger mounts after tennis players fly in for Australian Open
Andy Murray is waiting to see if there is any way he compete in the Australian Open after testing positive for Covid-19.
-
NewsPositive Covid cases on flights to Australia put 47 players in 14-day quarantine
Three people across two chartered flights carrying the Open hopefuls tested positive for coronavirus upon their arrival in Melbourne.
-
Tennis NewsBernard Tomic still has drive to compete, saying ‘I don’t need to play tennis again, I’ve got enough money’
“I’m risking my life, and I’m playing and competing.”
-
Tennis NewsDominic Thiem: ‘My wish for 2021 is to win a second Grand Slam title’
Dominic Thiem eyes a second Grand Slam trophy.
-
Australian OpenVIDEO and PICS: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams among tennis stars to arrive in Australia
This way for a video and pics of arrivals in Australia.
-
Australian OpenOfficial insists no special Australian Open treatment for Andy Murray after positive COVID-19 result
Andy Murray warned he won’t get preferential treatment.