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Oct 12, 2021; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Andy Murray (GBR) reacts after missing a shot against Alexander Zverev (GER) during a third round match in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 12, 2021; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Andy Murray (GBR) reacts after missing a shot against Alexander Zverev (GER) during a third round match in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Former World No. 1 player Andy Murray has been impressing one and all with his performances from the trail end of last season. He continued that form into 2022 as well, reaching his first tour final since 2019. However, Andy lost the final of the ATP Sydney 250 event to Russian player Aslan Karatsev.
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Reflecting on the match, it was the Russian player who got off to a great start. As the match began, Karatsev broke Murray in the first game of the match. Following that, it was one-way traffic, as the Russian was very consistent.
Aslan Karatsev was too clinical for the former World No. 1
During the entire set, he did not show Andy a glimpse of a breakpoint opportunity. Eventually, he broke the three-time Grand Slam winner for the second time and to seal the set in his favor, 6-3. It took him 36 minutes to wrap things up in the first set and it was Andy’s serve that let him down.
As the second set began, Aslan raced to a 3-0 lead after breaking the two-time Olympic gold medalist in his opening service game. From there, it was always going to be an uphill battle for the Scot.
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Aug 30, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts after a miss to Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece (not pictured) on day one of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Although Andy Murray ended up on the losing side, there were positives
The fifth game of the second set was interesting, as the Karatsev was on the verge of being broken. However, the Russian maintained his composure to hold serve and take a 4-1 lead. In the end, it was Karatsev who won the set 6-3 in close to an hour.
After the match, Murray spoke about his appearance in the final and reflected on his experience in Australia. He stated, “I’d like to thank my family back home. I don’t know if you are watching, but I miss you all. I’d like to thank my team for all their help this week. First time back in the final for three years, it has been a long road to get here, but thanks for your help.”
Next up for Andy is the Australian Open 2022, which begins on Monday. He has been a five-time finalist and it will be interesting to see how things go for him during the week. We wish him and Karatsev all the best.
Read more: ‘Kind of Like Serena Williams’: Martina Navratilova Cautions Naomi Osaka Ahead of Return
