Andy Murray exits US Open after heavy defeat to Grigor Dimitrov

Andy Murray crashed out of the US Open within the second after shedding in straight units to Grigor Dimtrov. And the previous world No.1, now 36, has nonetheless to get past the third spherical of a Grand Slam since 2017 Wimbledon and earlier than his two hip operations.

The Scot got here into the ultimate Grand Slam of the yr after pulling out of Toronto and Cincinnati with an belly pressure. And though the 2012 US Open champion fought arduous earlier than shedding a 63-minute first set, he made too many errors and hit too few winners to bother the No.19 seed. His serve was additionally damaged six occasions.

Dimitrov gained 6-3 6-4 6-1 in two hours and 46 minutes and Murray’s limp efficiency got here to a becoming finish with a double fault on the third match level. The Bulgarian mentioned: “I am very happy with the performance today. I was expecting five sets. That first set was definitely the key. After that I settled in a bit more.”

Murray, who wowed followers and his opponent through the opening set with a ridiculous drop shot at a near-impossible angle which was applauded by Dimitrov, admitted he was nonetheless indignant concerning the method of his Wimbledon defeat in July when a late begin noticed his match in opposition to Stefanos Tsitsipas suspended when he was successful and he returned to lose the next day. This time there was no such excuse.

Dimitrov, who beat Roger Federer right here in 2019 on his technique to the semi-finalis, used the within information of Murray’s former coaches Dani Vallverdu and Jamie Delgado to outplay the three-time Major champion. Murray additionally paid the worth of not successful sufficient matches this yr to get a seeding and keep away from a seed within the opening two rounds.

Starting a noon with an enormous shadow throughout the Arthur Ashe Stadium, Murray got here out of the blocks slowly and misplaced 9 consecutive factors to go a break down. The Scot lastly received onto the scoreboard after a marathon 18-point third sport when he took his third break level when the Bulgarian netted a backhand volley.

On the sixth deuce, Murray miraculously recovered a internet brief to provide a dinked forehand winner earlier than working onto the opposite facet of the web to acknowledge the applause – and to be congratulated by Dimitrov. The world No.37 then saved two break factors in a 16-point fourth sport earlier than lastly holding his serve – and drawing the match stage – at 2-2.

But after combating so arduous to get again into the opening set, he carelessly threw it away by shedding 5 consecutive video games. Serving at 3-4, he served two double faults and made two forehand errors to be damaged for a second time. And a forehand error noticed Dimitrov take the primary essential set.

Of the 73 factors performed within the opening set, Murray hit solely 4 winner to Dimitrov’s 12. The Scot was damaged twice extra within the 57-minute second set however did not take two breakback factors at 3-4. Murray maintain the file of 11 for probably the most comebacks from two units down – the final time in opposition to Thanasi Kokkinakis on the Australian Open in January which ended at 4.05am – however this was throughout at 3pm New York time.

The Scot saved two match factors earlier than Muray arrange one other with a superb working backhand move earlier than Murray dumped his seventh and closing double fault into the web.