Murray rules out US Open after first singles match since January ends in defeat by Gasquet

Andy Murray rules out playing singles at US Open after first singles match since January ends in straight-sets defeat by Richard Gasquet

  • Murray’s return to singles action proved as testing as expected on Monday 
  • The former world No 1 made his singles comeback at the Cincinnati Masters 
  • His service was broken in the opening game of his clash with Richard Gasquet 
  • The Frenchman claimed an early break in the second set on his way to victory 
  • The 32-year-old confirmed after the match he will not play singles at US Open 

Andy Murray resumed his singles career on Monday night, though the Scot and his metal hip could not make it a winning return against Richard Gasquet at the Cincinnati Masters.

Seven months since his last match and six months since undergoing an operation that risked forcing him into retirement, the 32-year-old lost 6-4, 6-4 to the Frenchman.

Despite defeat, Murray can take plenty of positives from this comeback in which he became the first player to return to the singles game following hip resurfacing surgery.

Andy Murray suffered defeat on his singles comeback against Richard Gasquet in Cincinnati

Murray's return to singles action for the first time since January proved as testing as expected

Murray’s return to singles action for the first time since January proved as testing as expected

The former world No 1 was broken in his first service game and was broken in the second set

The former world No 1 was broken in his first service game and was broken in the second set

The Cincinnati Masters clash with Gasquet was his first singles appearance for seven months

The Cincinnati Masters clash with Gasquet was his first singles appearance for seven months

Murray confirmed after the match he will not play singles at the US Open. 

The former world No 1 says he intends to play doubles and mixed doubles at the Grand Slam in New York, which starts on August 26.

Murray fought hard in the heat of Cincinnati. He struggled on serve but his movement improved after a stiff start.

Murray seemed determined to enjoy himself. Holding his phone in front of him, he filmed his entrance on to Centre Court, before Gasquet elected to test the Scot by electing to have him serve first. 

The 32-year-old can take plenty of positives from this comeback on Monday night

The 32-year-old can take plenty of positives from this comeback on Monday night

French world No 56 tested Murray's movement with a series of drop shots during the contest

French world No 56 tested Murray’s movement with a series of drop shots during the contest

Then the nerves kicked in for Murray. Serving for the first time in singles since an Australian Open loss to Roberto Bautista Agut 210 days ago, Murray started with a double fault before being broken.

Watched by Feliciano Lopez, who partnered Murray when they won the Fever-Tree Championships doubles title at Queen’s Club in June, he broke back for 2-2.

Yet Gasquet, who tested his opponent’s movement with delicate drop shots, stole another lead. And at 5-4, he served out for the first set. Murray had won his last five meetings with Gasquet but his serve continued to pose a problem and he was broken at the start of the second set.

The French world No 56 held from then on, condemning Murray to defeat in his singles comeback.

Murray struggled on his serve but his movement on his metal hip improved during the match

 Murray struggled on his serve but his movement on his metal hip improved during the match



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