Andy Murray vs Alex de Minaur RESULT: Monte Carlo Masters score and reaction
Andy Murray was beaten by Alex de Minaur on his return to clay in Monte Carlo on Monday
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A lacklustre Andy Murray was soundly beaten by Alex de Minaur, 6-1 6-3, in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Monday.
His first match on clay in 2023, Murray never got going in the principality and hit a mammoth 26 unforced errors on Court Rainier III.
De Minaur was efficient in his work, but three-time Grand Slam winner Murray produced a very below-par performance, at one point seemingly apologising to the crowd for a poor drop-shot, with a comeback so typical of Murray this season never on the cards here. Murray is yet to confirm when he will next be in action. It could be as early as next week in Barcelona or Munich, with the next Masters 1000 event in Madrid in two weeks’ time.
Earlier on Monday, British No 1 Cameron Norrie lost in straight-sets to Francisco Cerundolo but Jack Draper came through his match against Sebastian Baez.
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Murray holds to level it up (*Murray 1-6 0-1 De Minaur)
In the grand scheme of how this match has played out so far, a big hold for Andy Murray.
Far more depth on his groundstrokes and a higher first-serve percentage in that game.
1-1.
De Minaur holds first up in set No 2 (*Murray 1-6 0-1 De Minaur)
Point of the match at 30-30, 44 shots in total, with De Minaur sealing it with a pinpoint backhand down the line!
A big serve sees De Minaur hold - but a few more signs of encouragement in that game for Murray. Better depth, mainly.
De Minaur wins the first set! (Murray 1-6 De Minaur*)
Nothing short of a shocker that from Andy Murray - 15 unforced errors from the Brit in that set, and a final backhand into the net sees De Minaur break for the third time, and seal the set!
A set to forget for the three-time Grand Slam champion. He has to regroup quickly...
De Minaur a game away from the first set (*Murray 1-5 De Minaur)
De Minaur playing a really smart game here, testing Murray’s movement on a surface he has seldom played on in recent years. Drop shots, switches of play, you name it.
Murray, trying to change the line of attack himself, nets a drop shot to give away a fifth game out of six!
Murray gets himself on the board (Murray 1-4 De Minaur*)
The former World No 1 finally holds, to 30, as he finally finds his range both on serve and with a few attacking groundstrokes.
De Minaur still with the double break though...
De Minaur stretches his lead (*Murray 0-4 De Minaur)
It’s all a bit doom and gloom at the moment for Andy Murray.
De Minaur holds to 15, with the game closed out after Murray misses a routine forehand volley at the net.
Murray yet to get on the board. And he’s only won five points so far!
Andy Murray broken again (Murray 0-3 De Minaur*)
De Minaur breaks Murray once again!
De Minaur hits two drop shots to perfection to stay in touch in the game, before Murray nets again with his backhand at 30-30.
And at break point, Murray sends a forehand well long - and De Minaur in complete control!
All in all, Murray yet to get going here. Then again, we know he loves a gruelling, three-set battle... why not skip the first set altogether?!
De Minaur holds to love in his first service game (*Murray 0-2 De Minaur)
Very dominant stuff from Alex de Minaur early on here!
Murray struggling to find his range, on both forehand and backhand, while the Aussie seals the hold to love with another convincing overhead!
Andy Murray broken in first game (Murray 0-1 De Minaur*)
First blood to Alex De Minaur!
De Minaur wins a lung-buster of a second point with an overhead, before Murray double faults at 15-15.
Murray brings it back to 30-30 but then sends a forehand long and a backhand into the net.
Lack of first serves an issue for the Brit in that game...
Andy Murray out on court in Monte Carlo
Andy Murray is now out warming up on Court Rainier III!
He faces Alex de Minaur, 11 years his junior, who has a 2-0 record against the Brit - but they’ve never played on clay!
Murray won the toss and elected to serve!
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