- Denis Shapovalov [10] def Andy Murray [WC] 6-4 6-2 6-2
LONDON, ENGLAND – It was one step too far for Andy Murray as he exited Wimbledon with a straight sets loss to Denis Shapovalov.
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Denis Shapovalov [10] def Andy Murray [WC] 6-4 6-2 6-2
It was a step too far for Andy Murray as he convincingly went out of Wimbledon to Denis Shapovalov in straight sets. The three-time grand slam champion was second best from the start as he couldn’t outpower the Canadian. Shapovalov benefited from an extra couple of days off as he effortlessly hit backhand winners past Murray. After having a 5-1 lead, Shapovalov’s serve started to be more inconsistent which allowed Murray to construct points on his terms as he grinded out points in his favour. Good serving from Murray saw 5-1 become 5-4 as the Centre Court crowd was becoming a factor.
Murray managed to create three break point opportunities but some passive play from the former world number one allowed Shapovalov to be more aggressive and save them. Eventually the 10th seed stopped the run of games against him to take the opening set. After the opening set, it was all one way traffic as the Canadian used his powerful controlled aggression to cut through the Murray service games. In the sixth game, Murray had five break point opportunities to try and inspire a similar comeback to the first set but the Canadian held firm and cruised to a two sets to love lead.
The roof then came on but not even that could inspire a miraculous Murray comeback as the nine sets played in the opening two rounds finally took its toll. Another quick double break sealed a last 16 place for Shapovalov. In his post-match press conference Murray saw the positives from this week but also questioned his own future:
“I mean, I got through, I guess, a week of a slam without getting injured. So that’s positive,” Murray said.
“So, yeah, it was positive that I got through the event without getting hurt but, yeah, negative, I guess, I feel like I can do better tennis-wise. I feel like I can play better and close matches out better. But to do that, I need time on the match court and I need more time on the practice court, and I’ve had neither in the last few months.
“You know, that’s good, but then there is a part of me that feels a bit like I have put in so much work the last three months and, you know, ultimately didn’t play how I would want and expect, and it’s like is it worth it? Is all of that training and everything that you’re doing in the gym, you know, unless you’re able to like practice and, you know, improve your game and get matches and continue, get, you know, a run of tournaments, like, is it worth all of the work that you’re doing. You know, there is part of me that feels like, yes, it is, because I had, you know, great memories and stuff from this event and playing in some brilliant atmosphere. But then, also, I finished the match tonight and I’m saying to my team, I’m like, yeah, I’m just not happy with how I played.”
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