- Former champion loses in first-round thriller to world No 3
Tsitsipas speaks after the match. He looks upset and pointedly does not pay any compliments to Murray, which is unusual after a long, hard match. Instead he thanks the New York crowd.
Some of his behaviour was pretty shabby today but he won on merit – he didn’t get his victory because of his timewasting, he won because he was the best player and came back when his cause looked lost.
A cruel loss for Murray but that’s the best I’ve seen him play in a long, long time. His body held up well but whether he can do that over the course of a tournament in the future is another question. Murray looks bitterly disappointed but he more than held his own against one of the best players in the world and he could well have won if he had taken that second-set tiebreak.
Tsitsipas wrongfoots Murray to go 15-0 up. Murray then dumps a shot into the net for a 30-0 lead to the Greek. An ace brings up three match points. And he takes it on his first chance. They barely greet each other at the net after Tsitsipas’s timewasting antics.
Fifth and final set: *Murray 4-5 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
There’s not much behind Murray’s serves now but Tsitsipas is trying to hit every shot as a winner and sends it long to give Murray a 30-15 lead. He tries a volley on a Murray forehand that looks like it would have gone long and ripples the net: 40-15 to the Scot. He holds a few shots later – but the Greek will serve for the match.
Fifth and final set: Murray 3-5 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Murray’s post-match comments should be interesting, whatever the result. Although I don’t think we need a press conference to figure out his views on Tsitsipas at the moment. He was angry at Tsitsipas’s time wasting between sets but the world No 3’s racket changes when he was 0-30 down on his own serve may have sent Murray over the edge. Having said that, Murray had excellent chances to go 2-0 up in sets in the tiebreaker – and his failure to do so was nothing to do with Tsitsipas’s gamesmanship.
Fifth and final set: *Murray 3-4 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Murray works out some frustration and races out to a 40-0 lead and holds the next point.
Fifth and final set: Murray 2-4 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Murray is 0-30 up before you can say “10-minute bathroom break”! Tsitsipas then takes an age to fiddle with his racket – it’s not a great look from the world No 3, even if he’s not technically breaking the rules.
Fifth and final set: *Murray 2-3 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Murray is barely getting 50% of his first serves in in this set, a major reason Tsitsipas has taken hold of the decider. But Murray does enough to edge the game and stay in striking distance of his opponent.
Fifth and final set: Murray 1-3 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas misses a volley on the opening point but wins the next two with strong serves to go to 30-15. He’s rattling through these points with a haste he did not show with his bathroom breaks. But then, at 30-30, the net cord diverts Tsitsipas’s shot and it plops out for a break point chance for Murray at 30-40. Tsitsipas saves it with a wonderful, skimming forehand. And we’re at deuce. A big second serve gives the Greek advantage and he holds on the next point with another superb serve.
Fifth and final set: *Murray 1-2 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Murray continues to chirp at the officials about the length of Tsitsipas’s break between sets. He has a point but no one ever lost a match because their opponent took too long on the toilet – until now maybe.
Fifth and final set: Murray 0-2 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Murray’s record in five-setters: 25-12. Tsitsipas’s record: 5-5. Murray takes a 0-15 lead but Tsitsipas has started to go on the attack and hits back to lead 40-15. He looks far the stronger man now.
Fifth and final set: *Murray 0-1 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas has taken a long break before the deciding set and Murray is talking to the officials about the length of time his opponent has been off court. Tsitsipas eventually makes his way back on court after a break of seven minutes. Anyone else nervous? I’m nervous.
Tsitsipas has definitely played better after that medical timeout, and I’d give him the advantage as the younger man – especially given the strains on Murray’s body over the last few years. Murray’s serve speed also dropped off alarmingly in the fourth set. But then again, I gave Murray no chance at the start of the match and he still has a good chance of winning this one. This one feels more like a semifinal than the first round.
Tsitsipas seals it after Murray can’t deal with a big forehand. We’re on to a decider under the lights in New York!
Fourth set: *Murray 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-5 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
If Murray holds here, he will probably serve first in the final set – something that could give him a psychological edge if the match gets close. The TV commentary team note that Murray’s first serve has dropped off 6mph in this set. And Tsitsipas has set point, which he wastes with a wafted backhand. Murray goes on to hold and has won three games in a row…
Fourth set: Murray 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 2-5 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Murray is soon 0-40 up on Tsitsipas’s serve. He doesn’t look like a man who wants to break – he would serve first in the final set if Tsitsipas seals the set here … which he doesn’t after a wonderful winner from the Scot.
Fourth set: *Murray 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 1-5 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
A hold for Murray. Tsitsipas has dominated this set but it’s unclear how much Murray has been happy to let him do so. Going easy will save some energy for Murray going into the final set … but it also saves energy for his opponent too. Anyway, Murray is a vastly experienced player and knows how to handle a five-setter more than the vast majority of those on tour.
Fourth set: Murray 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 0-5 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas is clearly feeling the effects of his foot injury but if – as looks likely – this goes to a fifth set, the advantage would appear to go to the younger man (with a fully functioning hip). Murray may be saving his energy for a deciding set, although on ESPN they think he would do well to test his opponent’s foot a little for the rest of the set – which may not last long. A hold to love for the Greek anyway.
Fourth set: *Murray 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 0-4 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas has some momentum after reeling three games off in a row as the lights come on on Arthur Ashe. It’s an ugly game for Murray, who soon finds himself 15-40 down after some tired looking shots. Two breaks this set for Tsitsipas.
Fourth set: Murray 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 0-3 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas started to limp in that game: but he did so at 40-0 down and went on to win the game, so perhaps he shouldn’t be too worried. And now Murray grabs his foot – both men are looking a little hobbled. John McEnroe on ESPN wonders if Tsitsipas is starting to play more aggressively now he is feeling injured to get the match over one way or the other. Murray fights back in this game to deuce but the Greek holds with a good forehand.
Fourth set: *Murray 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 0-2 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Murray had a few troublesome service games in the last set, despite winning it, and Tsitsipas takes him to deuce … and then advantage here. The Greek was 40-0 down too. And he breaks Murray for the first time in the match after Murray sends one wide.
Fourth set: Murray 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 0-1 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas has taken a medical timeout and the physio works on his foot courtside as Murray jogs on the baseline. But he’s OK to continue and we go to a fourth set.
So much for the peoMEple who said that Murray had no chance in this match. He has shown his longest sustained period of top-level tennis in years this evening. As John McEnroe says, he looks like a Top 10 player against Tsitsipas. The Greek has held his knee a few times during the match, but even if he’s injured Murray has played very well given the punishing few years he has endured.
Murray serves for the set then as the match edges towards three hours. He moves his opponent around before a dagger volley makes it 15-0. A long rally ends in Tsitsipas’s favour for 15-15. Murray has a tough volley to make it 30-15 but he can’t quite make it and it’s 15-30 to Tsitsipas instead. He attacks his next opportunity though and we are at 30-30. A lovely serve and volley brings up set point, 40-30. Then a winner down the line gives Murray the set!
Third set: Murray 6-2, 6-7, 5-3 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Murray doesn’t run too hard on some points on Tsitsipas’s serve – is he saving himself for the crucial next game? He’s down 0-40 but then literally rallies to 30-40. But the Greek holds.
Third set: *Murray 6-2, 6-7, 5-2 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas completely misses a fairly nondescript Murray serve to make it 30-0. He really has helped out Murray at times today – apart from the bit where he won the second set, I guess. Murray is now one game from taking the third set.
Third set: Murray 6-2, 6-7, 4-2 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
In contrast to Murray’s epic hold in the last game, Tsitsipas trots out to a 40-0 lead to hold with ease. But it’s still Murray who has the break of serve.
Third set: *Murray 6-2, 6-7, 4-1 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Murray is unhappy with himself after a lazy swipe gives Tsitsipas a 0-15 lead. If you can call anything someone who has been running around for three hours in the heat does “lazy”. So let’s say “ill-timed”. Another poor shot – this time a drop shot – gives Tsitsipas a chance to break at 30-40. Murray saves it with an ace. But Tsitsipas is starting to attack and an overhead brings up advantage to the Greek. Murray survives thanks to an errant shot from Tsitsipas.
Third set: Murray 6-2, 6-7, 3-1 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
An easy, welcome hold for Tsitsipas after a very odd start to the set.
Third set: *Murray 6-2, 6-7, 3-0 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Murray eases out to 40-0 after moving his opponent around the court: he’s come out very well this set so far. A loose return from Stefanos hands Murray the game.
Related: Johanna Konta withdraws from US Open hours before first-round match
Third set: Murray 6-2, 6-7, 2-0 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas follows up his bathroom break with a long adjustment to his shoes after one of his laces breaks. At 30-30 he sends a forehand wide with the court gaping open and Murray has a chance to break. Which he does – after another unforced error from the world No 3. That was a sloppy game from a man who had all the momentum after the tiebreak.
Third set: *Murray 6-2, 6-7, 1-0 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Murray starts the third set with a lovely drop shot … and Tsitsipas counters with one of his own: 15-15. Murray goes on to hold though: very welcome after losing that tiebreak.
Murray has left the court between sets. And left his shoes behind (he was walking under his own power) … and he’s back on and has stuck his cap back on his head. Tsitsipas had his own break and has now returned too.
Murray sends his forehand long and Tsitsipas wins the set. Murray had a superb chance to go two sets up but Tsitsipas dug deep. Can Murray win two more sets with a beaten up body on a warm, muggy evening? It’s going to be tough, but he’s played close to his old self here and Tsitsipas is not at his best and has given the Scot plenty of free points. Still, the Greek is the favourite at the moment.
Second set tiebreak: *Murray 7-8 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
A double fault from Murray.
Second set tiebreak: *Murray 7-7 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas hits the net with a bit of space to pass Murray.
Second set tiebreak: Murray 6-7 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
A soft return from Murray into the net.
Second set tiebreak: Murray 6-6 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas stays in the set with an overhead after Murray scrambled to stay in the point.
Second set tiebreak: *Murray 6-5 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Murray serves for the set. He sends his first serve into the net. That rhymes! Then a backhand into the net and Tsitsipas breaks back.
Second set tiebreak: *Murray 6-4 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Murray can win the set if he holds twice here. He wins the first point.
Second set tiebreak: Murray 5-4 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Second serve for Tsitsipas. Murray keeps in the point with some wonderful volleys but he slips on his own sweat and loses the point. Oh my.
Second set tiebreak: Murray 5-3 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
A big serve from the Greek but it’s a let. Then Murray hits a wonderful lob winner.
Second set tiebreak: *Murray 4-3 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas hits a forehand into the net.
Second set tiebreak: *Murray 3-3 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Cheers from the crowd for Murray. He rewards them with a crucial hold.
Second set tiebreak: Murray 2-3 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
A good backhand to hold from the Greek.
Second set tiebreak: Murray 2-2 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas gives Murray the second serve but Murray dumps his return into the net.
Second set tiebreak: *Murray 2-1 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
A 129mph ace from Murray.
Second set tiebreak: *Murray 1-1 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas recovers well to break back.
Second set tiebreak: Murray 1-0 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
An early break for Murray after a great drop shot.
Second set: Murray 6-2, 5-6 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
So Murray serves to stay in the set again. Tsitsipas hits a winner to get off to a good start, Murray counters with an ace. And another strong serve brings up 40-15. A rally ensues before Tsitispas brings it to an end with a casual swat of his wrist. Then an unforced error gives the game to Murray. On to the tiebreak!
Second set: Murray 6-2, 5-6 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
An early 30-0 lead for Tsitsipas, which turns into 40-15 after a poor forehand goes long from Murray. Tsitsipas is determined to keep Andy in the game though, and gives us his first double fault of the match. But he goes on to hold and Murray must serve to force the tiebreak.
Second set: *Murray 6-2, 5-5 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Murray had an excellent chance to take a huge step towards taking absolute control of this match and he is doing his familiar Andy swearing as he takes his seat between games. Now he needs to serve to stay in the set. In fairness to Murray, Tsitsipas played well to hold serve rather than the Briton losing it.
Second set: Murray 6-2, 4-5 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
If Tsitsipas holds here, Murray has to serve to stay in the set and that added pressure could just tip this contest in the Greek’s favour. Maybe Andy is aware of that – there is a bit more zip in his shot and a poor drop shot lets he Scot in to attack his opponent and take a 15-30 lead. Then another poor shot from Tsitsipas gives Murray two chances to break. Tsitsipas saves the first and slams down an ace to bring an ace. A hugely important serve – how important will that be for the balance of the match? Tsitsipas holds shortly afterwards. The pressure is on Murray now.
Second set: *Murray 6-2, 4-4 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Murray reels off another strong service game. He’s not hitting as many aces as Tsitsipas but his opponent isn’t making many meaningful returns.
Second set: Murray 6-2, 3-4 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
And a very quick response from Tsitsipas. John McEnroe points out Murray has started to look up to his own box, which is often a sign he feels out of sorts. The world No 3 has faced close to zero pressure on his serve in this set.
Second set: *Murray 6-2, 3-3 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
A welcome easy hold for Murray, whose serve looks as good as it has all set. A hold to love – he will be very happy with that after his struggles in his previous service game.
Second set: Murray 6-2, 2-3 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Wow, Tsitsipas looks incredibly untroubled on his serve now. He’s strolling through them in this set while Murray has had to fight to hold his serve. Tsitsipas seals the game with a drop shot and I’m sure it’s a move he will try again given the Scot’s limited movement of late.
Second set: *Murray 6-2, 2-2 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
A lovely backhand down the line from Murray starts his service game well. Tsitsipas is a lot better on his own serve than he was but is yet to seriously threaten a break on Murray’s. In fact, when he makes it 15-30 seconds later it’s the first time he’s had a lead on the Scot’s serve in the match. Tsitsipas brings up his first break points of the match shortly afterwards, which Murray saves with an ace … before saving another to bring up deuce. Murray and Tsitsipas then exchange a few big backhands, and it’s a duel that the Scot wins. Murray goes on to hold.
Second set: Murray 6-2, 1-2 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Yep, Tsitsipas is not messing around anymore. Another few aces and he holds to love again. This is a very different player than we saw in the first set.
Second set: *Murray 6-2, 1-1 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Yikes, a double fault from Murray to start his first service game of the second set. But he recovers well to hold.
Second set: Murray 6-2, 0-1 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Well, well … well. Murray didn’t look that different from the man we knew five years ago, moving brilliantly round the court in the first set. The question, of course, is whether he can maintain that form given the wear and injuries to his body in the last few years. There were signs Tsitsipas was playing a little better in the final game of the last set – and we’ve seen Murray show flashes of his old self before regressing. Tsitsipas has his easiest service game of the match so far, holding to love to open the second set.
A wee pause to start the game as Andy waits for latecomers to take their seats. I’m sure he’s a lot more happy to ponder the match so far than Tsitsipas. Tsitipas is starting to move Murray around the court, perhaps hoping to test just how long that ease of movement can last, and he wins a long rally to make it 30-30. A good serve brings up set point though, which Murray can’t convert after sending a forehand wide. Then a 130mph serve brings Murray another set point – he looks like he has won it but a great recovery from Tsitsipas sees a lob drop just in. But Murray seals the set shortly afterwards!
First set: Murray 5-2 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas sends down a huge serve for an ace to bring up 30-0. That was his most impressive point of the match so far, which doesn’t say much for his all-around game. Anyway, a welcome hold to love for the Greek world No 3.
First set: *Murray 5-1 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Well, I’m not sure even Murray was expecting this. As good as he has been breaking Stefanos’s serve (twice) today, he has looked rock solid on his serve. He wins this one with barely a squeak from Tsitsipas.
First set: Murray 4-1 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Tsitsipas takes a few deep breaths and tries to remember he’s the world No 3. Murray is playing – and moving – very well though, much better than at Wimbledon. Andy rifles a cross-court forehand to make it 30-30 and then follows up with a volley to bring up break point. Which he converts! He now has the double break.
First set: *Murray 3-1 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
Murray sends down his first ace of the match to hold to 15. Elsewhere, Felix Auger-Aliassime has won his first-round match in four sets.
First set: Murray 2-1 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
In other British tennis news, Jo Konta has pulled out of her first-round match a few hours before she was due on court. No news as to why just yet. Murray is doing just fine though: he’s 0-40 up on Tsitsipas’s serve in the blink of an eye. The Greek rattles off two points but Murray seals the break shortly afterwards. It’s 2012 all over again! Make sure you put money on Leicester City to win the Premier League in three years time!
First set: *Murray 1-1 Tsitsipas (*denotes server)
A good opening service game for the Briton. He slams down an ace to take things to 40-0 and, one awkward forehand aside, handles Tsitsipas fairly well as he holds with ease.
First set: Murray 0-1 Tsitsipas* (*denotes server)
Encouraging signs for Murray early on as Tsitsipas serves. He takes Tsitsipas to a few deuces and is moving fairly fluidly before the world No 3 ends things with a thumping forehand.
Murray and Tsitsipas are now out on court and warming up. There will be at least one British man in the second round: Dan Evans has just beaten Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro in four sets.
John McEnroe thinks Murray has an outside chance of winning today, particularly given Tsitsipas’s modest record in New York. And he has a point: Murray is still capable of rolling back the years for a match or two but over a whole tournament is a different story. Murray, by the way, has never lost in the first round of the US Open.
ESPN are having a nostalgia fest as they run through the greats who are not here this year: Nadal, Venus and Serena Williams and Federer. With Murray compromised by his hip problems, it’s only Djokovic who is running around seemingly untroubled from the elite players of that generation. The crazy thing is that Djokovic shows few signs of slowing down: he’s 21-0 in grand slams this year.
Stephens is interviewed on court after her victory and says it was a huge boost to see fans back in the stands after the empty seats in Flushing Meadows last year due to Covid-19.
And so it’s Andy Murray v Stefanos Tsitsipas next. The 2012 champion couldn’t have received a much tougher opponent than the world No 3 (really clever readers would say it’s the third-toughest draw possible) and although he battled mightily at Wimbledon earlier this summer, it’s clear he is nowhere near the player he once was and, at 34, it’s reasonable to conclude he’s not going to get back his best. But it will be interesting to see if he has improved since then.
And we have a tiebreak! Sloane Stephens makes an unforced error to send the match to a decider. Keys was the slightly better player in the final two sets but it’s Stephens who takes the tiebreaker 9-7. Stephens barely celebrates in deference to the feelings of her close friend Keys. But it’s a very welcome result for the 2017 champion, suggesting her struggles with her form may be coming to an end.
Just to give Murray some comfort, there are a few players older than him competing today. 39-year-old Feliciano Lopez has taken Bernabe Zapata Miralles to a fifth set while Ivo Karlovic (42!) lost the first set to Andrey Rublev and is in a tiebreak in the second.
Elsewhere, Murray’s compatriot, Dan Evans, has just won the third set against Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro and leads 2-1.
Murray and Tsitsipas are next on court on Arthur Ashe. At the moment it’s a replay of the 2017 women’s final with Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys. It’s a lot less one-sided than last time out when Stephens won in straight sets. Today, Stephens took the first set 6-3 before Keys roared back 6-1 in the second. It’s now 5-4 in the final set with Stephens serving to stay in the match. It’s been a great contest so far, the only negative being that these two are playing each other so early in the tournament.
Tom will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s what is on Andy Murray’s mind coming into today’s match:
Andy Murray hopes that more players choose to be vaccinated over the coming months as tennis faces a possible reckoning over its rate of inoculation among tour professionals, which is widely believed to be below 50%.
Murray, who faces Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round of the US Open on Monday, was speaking in the wake of the USTA announcing on Friday that all fans must have received at least one dose in order to enter the grounds. As such, the only unvaccinated people in the stadiums will be many of the players on court.
Related: Andy Murray concerned by low uptake of vaccine among tour tennis pros
