Andy Murray is OUT of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships after losing to Alexander Bublik

Three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray is out of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, Rhode Island, after a straight sets defeat to Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik. 

Former British No 1 Murray struggled to get close to Bublik, and failed to secure a single break point in the first set, in which six-foot five Bublik’s strong serve kept the Briton at bay. 

But the second set was a different matter as Murray broke at the first opportunity, although he was quickly broken back as Bublik dominated to take the second and final set 6-4.

Alexander Bublik beat Murray to seal a second victory in four games in 2022

But Bublik’s was not the only strong serve in the match, as it took until the 11th game of the first set for Bublik to win his first and only break point of the set. 

Strong service games had been something of a fulcrum for the Brit in this tournament, as he boasted almost 70% success rate in service points won in Newport. 

But now the British tennis legend’s impressive run at the tournament comes to an end, after victories over Sam Querrey – who Murray has dominated 8-2 in their career head-to-head – and Max Purcell in the previous round. 

Despite his fury with some questionable line calls throughout, Murray showcased his famed spirit to win 12 of the last 13 games and seal a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 win over the Australian. 

But he was unable to pull off the same feat this time round, and exits at the quarter final stages of the grass court event.  

And the game was not without controversy as Bublik took time out during the sixth game of the second set to make his thoughts clear on the quality of line judge at the tournament. 

Murray was extending his grass-court season by playing this low-key event in Newport

But he quickly readjusted his focus to the task at hand and crushed any hopes of a trademark comeback with a second victory over the Scot in four meetings this year. 

Bublik will now face either of the Australian pair Jack Duckworth or Jason Kubler, who also face off on Friday.

Duckworth notably knocked out British player Liam Broady in the first round of the tournament in three sets, winning 6-2 4-6 6-2 against the man who exited at the Third Round of Wimbledon.