Murray Misery as British Number One Crashes Out in Beijing

February 9 Murray Misery as British Number One Crashes Out in Beijing

Posted by admin

Andy Murray came crashing down to Earth today as he suffered a particularly humbling defeat at the hands of massive underdog Lu Yen-Hsun from Chinese Taipei.

With punters betting on the favourites in Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer before the tournament – a pair who both progressed today – there will be few crying into their pillows tonight over lost gains but Murray was still a supposed sure fire victor in this match and a massive shock exit at this early stage.

The Brtish number one was expected to breeze through his opening round encounter against the World number 77 in Beijing’s Olympic Green Tennis Centre following his recent maiden Masters series victory in Cincinnati but was met by a stubborn opponent who was seeminly unwilling to allow any lapse in concentration throughout the match.

Murray was on course for the first set after taking a 5-2 lead but began to crumble soon after. First the Brit lost his serve before his oponent served out for a first set tie-break and Murray allowed his focus to slip losing the breaker on a double fault, 5-7.

The second set began just as badly, being broke immediately by the controlled Yen-Hsun before aWimbledon-esque rain delay allowed the Scot an invaluable period in order to regain his early composure.

Murray appeared to have used the break to his advantage, hitting back straight away in the third game and holding his own serve in a hard fought fourth match but with the crowd on his side, Yen-Hsun grew in confidence, putting away any mid-court ball the 21-year-old sent back across the net.

Usually it is Murray’s range of ground strokes which prove to be his biggest weapon but today against Yen-Hsun this tactic failed him as the Chinese Taipei man appeared to read Murray’s shots even before Murray himself. Watching the match it really did appear that Murray’s oponent was literally controlling Murray on court despite the Scot’s best efforts.

Yen-Hsun brought up three-match points with a delighful cross-court passing shot but needed just the one as Murray attempted to hit a pass which sailed into the net, ending the match and Murray’s hopes of an Olympic singles medal.

Murray will take to the court once more later this evening as he and brother Jamie compete in the doubles competition, arguably the event where the clever gamblers would place their bets on a Murray medal but after dissapointment like this one would be wary of Andy’s mental state going into their opening match.

Technorati Tags: Beijing, British, Crashes, Misery, Murray, Number