Andy Murray LIVE: Stuttgart Open final result and updates after Matteo Berrettini triumphs
Murray fell in three sets with the 2021 Wimbledon finalist denying the Briton his first title since 2019
Matteo Berrettini showed signs of recapturing the form which took him to the Wimbledon final last year as he beat Andy Murray 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 to win the Stuttgart Open on Sunday in his first tournament for three months.
The Italian hadn’t played since Indian Wells in March because of a hand injury which forced him to miss the entire clay-court swing and, in Murray, faced an opponent whose own injury issues hampered him in the deciding set.
“It was the last thing that I imagined when I came here,” Berrettini said of winning the title on his return to the tour.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Murray collided with one of the players’ seats at courtside in the first point of the decider and called for the physio soon after for treatment on his left leg and hip. He took another timeout when he appeared to indicate a problem with his abdominal muscles at 4-2 down.
“This is not the way that we wanted to finish the match,” Berrettini said, and he praised Murray‘s history of bouncing back from injuries. “He showed us so many times how to come back.”
Berrettini moves to 6-3 in career finals with his second career Stuttgart title, while Murray is 46-24 in his 70th career final as he chased a first title since 2019. It was the first time Murray played a singles final on grass since winning Wimbledon in 2016.
Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 0-2* Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
Ace to open the game, Berrettini delivering after a lengthy break.
Make that two. 30-0 and 12-7 to the Italian in terms of match aces.
Now quickly up to 40-0. Make that three aces, two games to love and a 2-0 lead in the decider. That is dominant from the Italian.
Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 0-1* Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
We’ve got a medical time out here, Murray getting treatment.
Some hip mobility from the physio, who is working on Murray’s left leg, rotating it and massaging his quad too.
Ok we’re ready to go again, Berrettini with the balls.
Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, *0-1 Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
That was big for Murray to clinch the set after breaking Berrettini. He serves to start this third set up.
Berrettini with soft hands at the net, gorgeous backhand cross court and Murray has to show fancy footwork to avoid crashing into the chairs.
A long rally and Murray breaks first with a heavy forehand going long. 0-30, huge for Berrettini after that crushing blow to concede the second set.
And now a time violation warning for Murray, tension!
He mumbling some frustrating words after conceding three break points. Game Berrettini, it’s a horrible start for Murray to the decider, he concedes the break to love.
Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5* Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
Murray shouting in pain, but he covers the ground.
Gets to the drop shot and passes Berrettini with a backhand down the line. 0-15.
Hold on a minute, Berrettini into the net, an opening, two points from the set? Can he capitalise on this huge opportunity?
Three set points coming up for Murray...
“LET’S GO”
You don’t need me to tell you who roared there, Murray cuts a gorgeous backhand which spins away from the court and Berrettini can’t control that, it sails long, SET MURRAY!
The Briton spins around and shouts in celebration as the crowd go wild. 1-1.
Andy Murray 4-6, *6-5 Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
A passing backhand from Murray with Berrettini on the run at the base line. A precious first point to open this game and claim a piece of the momentum back.
Murray reaches low for that forehand and leaves one short for Berrettini to explode onto, a bomb of a forehand fired past him to bring up 15-15.
Lovely rally, Murray using the power of Berrettini’s strokes well and dictating the tempo of the rally to move the Italian all over the court. 30-15.
Murray forced to come in and that’s an exceptionally difficult backhand volley at the net. Berrettini tries to pass Murray and does, but it’s wide. Game point for the Briton.
Finesse from Murray at the net to adjust his feet and upperbody, then a delicate backhand down the line to bank the game and secure at worst a tie-break, 6-5 to the three-time slam winner.
Andy Murray 4-6, 5-5* Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
After all that hard work, Berrettini with some cheap points to race to 40-0.
Murray with a word for the umpire now. The pressure is building on both these men.
Murray whacks that so long it could nestle in the stands. Berrettini holds to love. 5-5.
Andy Murray 4-6, *5-4 Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
Andy Murray 4-6, *5-4 Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
Murray engaging in a slow, lengthy rally, but Berrettini blinks first. 15-0.
Murray dictating the next point, rushes to the net, but Berrettini chops a forehand slice cross court, Murray can’t cushion that on the volley and it’s long. 15-15.
Dreadful from Murray, at the net with a gimme on the backhand, he can’t get over it, it’s long and the racket crashes into the net in frustration. 15-30, is this the decisive moment in the match?
A second serve for Murray, not what he would have wanted, and he dumps the forehand into the net after Berrettini ruthlessly steps up for his return. Two break points.
One gone! Unreturned serve there, Murray shouts in delight. Still a chance for Berrettini to set up a chance to serve for the championship.
Wow, a booming first serve, just when he needed it, Berrettini can’t control that one either. Deuce. The fight in Murray is astonishing.
But he’ll need even more fight here, he whips a forehand high and it doesn’t fall in, break point three.
First serve in the net, surely this is it for Berrettini now? It’s not! A tasty rally and Berrettini can’t get low enough on that backhand that dies beneath his knees.
Now a fine first serve out wide, you know the look, Murray pointing to his head, roaring in delight, game point.
Breathtaking, sublime, heroic, Murray wins an epic game and moves to 5-4.
Andy Murray 4-6, 4-4* Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
Berrettini with a cool head, he storms through this game to level up at four apiece.
The ace count is now 10-7 in his favour.
Andy Murray 4-6, *4-3 Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
Murray shifting gears here, he'll take the cheap points and put the pressure back on the Italian.
The Scot leads 4-3 here in Stuttgart. We’re played an hour and 22 minutes as we near the conclusion of the second set. Pretty swift action from the pair, given how closely-fought it’s been.
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