Andy Murray’s US Open campaign ended by shrewd Fernando Verdasco

Andy Murray’s 2018 US Open journey came to an end in the second round as he went down against Fernando Verdasco.
After coming through a four-set match against James Duckworth in the first round, Murray always knew that the Spaniard would be a tougher opponent.
And it was a titanic battle from start to finish with Verdasco winning 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in just under three and a half hours.
😄👈@FerVerdasco plays some inspired tennis to defeat Murray for just the 2nd time in 15 career matches, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4…
Next up: Delpo in R3!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/P2mYuScFEx
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2018
Both players struggled to hold their serve in the opening two sets with Verdasco edging the breaks 3-2 to take set one and Murray taking it 3-1 in the second.
However, the 31st seed turned the screws in the third set as he started to take charge by making full use of the court as Murray started to labour.
Verdasco raced into a 4-1 lead with two breaks and then closed it out on his own serve.
The visibly tired Murray battled on bravely in the fourth set, but Verdasco continued to produce smart tennis and the decisive moment came in game seven as he broke to love to go 4-3 up.
Murray fashioned five break points and saved a couple of match points in the ninth game. Verdasco was certainly feeling the tension as he was given a time violation, but the Spaniard held his nerve and eventually served it out.
Next up for Verdasco, who won against Murray for only the second time in 15 matches, is Juan Martin del Potro, who beat Denis Kudla.
Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie also crashed out as the Brit lost 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 against Dusan Lajovic.
More from Tennis365:
EXCLUSIVE: I still can’t explain 2009 US Open win, says Juan Martin del Potro
Tennis Today: Andy Murray reveals latest injury blow while Toni Nadal admits Roger Federer fear
VIDEO: Roger Federer produces some vintage magic at the US Open
Comment: Brilliantly unpredictable WTA proving that tennis needs neither rankings nor seeds
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