Andy Murray suffered another Grand Slam woes with a four-set loss to Matteo Berrettini in the third round of the US Open on Friday. Meanwhile, young Jack Draper retired with an injury in the third set against Karen Khachanov.
Murray was trying to reach the last 16 at a Grand Slam for the first time since suffering a hip problem in 2017, but after threatening another vintage comeback, he went 6-4 6-4 6-7 (1-1). 7) Dropped to 6. -3 Lost at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Scotsman is at least nudging his way up the rankings and should reach around 43, his highest since May 2018, but his ambitions are far greater than that and he’s looking to record another major this season. I couldn’t.
“It’s really difficult. I’m surprised I can still play against top-level players,” said Scotland.
“I’m really proud to have put myself in a position to be able to do that in a game like this. I’m really disappointed that I didn’t cross the line today.
“But I remember, ‘This is the first time I’ve played the third round here since 2016.’ It’s been a difficult six years for me. It’s been really hard.”
“I’ve only played three rounds here, but I’m really proud of the effort I’ve put in to get back to these positions. I hope I can go further in the future, but that’s okay.”
Many told me I could never play again, and many told me I could hit a tennis ball but never compete professionally again. . We want to see how close we can get to the top of the game.
Murray has been talking positively about fitness and movement after dropping just one set in his first two matches and reaching the third round in New York for the first time since 2016.
But this was a real step up. Berrettini has had injury and illness issues this year, but he is a proven performer, especially at Grand Slams.
He’s reached at least the quarterfinals in the last four major tournaments he’s played in, but missed the French Open this year after hand surgery, and Wimbledon, where he reached the final last summer, was ill-timed. Unable to play after Covid game. -19.
There was little choice between the two in the first set, but Murray’s double-fault on break point in the seventh game was the defining moment.
The Scots then recovered from a second half breakdown and appeared to dominate from the baseline, but were broken again with a double fault, this time at 4-4.
Murray dug in admirably, but ultimately left frustrated
Murray, noticing himself staring at the two-set deficit, threw his racket toward his chair in disgust.
The 35-year-old hasn’t fought back from two set downs to win a match since playing here against Yoshihito Nishioka two years ago.
He made an impressive start to the third set, saving five break points in his first three service games, and an excited Murray cheered as he withstood more pressure to hold at 6-5. rice field.
He was rewarded for his tenacity in a tiebreaker, with Berrettini picking a bad moment to play his worst tennis in the match, losing seven points in a row.
The comeback really seemed to begin when Murray broke a powerful Berrettini serve in the first game of the fourth set, but the Italian quickly fought back, scoring another mistake from his opponent at 3-4. was the final nail.
Murray said:
“I held up very well in the third set and as you can see from the stats, when I got into the rally and went through the first few shots, I was comfortable making those changes.
“He gave very good service and got a lot of free points on his serve. I wasn’t. That was the difference.”
Murray is due to return home before turning his attention to Britain’s attempt to qualify for the Davis Cup quarter-finals in Glasgow later this month and the Laver Cup at the O2 in London.
“I’m improving this year. I want to push and see how far I can go.”
“It’s motivating for me and it’s interesting to see, because a lot of people told me I wouldn’t be able to play again. It was nonsense. How close are you to the top of the game?” I would like to check if it is possible.
“There are some team events I’m looking forward to in the coming weeks. After a loss like today, it helps me to be around my friends and the team environment. I’m looking forward to it. And hopefully I Keep playing better until the end of the season.”
Draper retires after injury in clash with Khachanov
Jack Draper forced to retire after injury against Karen Khachanov
Britain’s Draper had a disappointing run at Flushing Meadows before retiring with an injury in the third set of her third-round match against Karen Khachanov.
The 20-year-old earned the biggest win of his career in the second round, beating sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime to put himself well-positioned against Russia’s 27th seed Khachanov after recovering from a slow start.
However, Draper began showing discomfort early in the third set, dropping serve in the 11th game and ending the day trailing 6-3, 4-6, 6-5 after consulting with his trainer.
He said: “It was an insertion at the top of my hamstring, between my hamstring and my groin. I’ve had problems before. This time it was due to the amount of tennis I’d played over the last seven years. Maybe a few weeks have caught up with me a bit.
“I think I went 2-0 in the third set. .
“Especially at this level, if you get injured you can’t play. It was tough.”
But Draper wasn’t too disappointed, stating: There is so much depth in this tournament.
“This is my second Grand Slam on Merritt. It’s very different to play a five-set match. I beat some really good guys. I’m back today. I felt like I had a chance to win that match.” If it hadn’t been for the injury.
“I can also look at the past year in a very positive way. Looking back, I was thinking about quitting tennis because of COVID-19. I’m very proud of myself this week, considering we broke through.”
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