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 *3-4 Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
Murray battling well here, Berrettini with the advantage, but he’ll have to fight for this first set.
We’re back to within one game as the pair take another drink.
Three aces apiece, Murray has nudged his first serves in % up to 58 per cent, but Berrettini still ahead on 70 per cent.
Andy Murray *2-3 Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
Murray in all sorts of bother here, he’s 0-40 and faces three break points.
ACE! That’s one gone!
And another, ACE! Levelling the match tally at 2-2.
Now then, one more break point. Berrettini finds the net as Murray rushes half-way towards the net, it’s deuce. A huge boost for the Scot.
Better, this first serve is spinning viciously out wide to Berrettini’s forehand, advantage Murray.
Wonderful variety to this game, with Murray's drop shot not quite working, he flicks out a backhand return after Berrettini gleefully tucks away the short ball. It's deuce again.
It’s a Murray hold after a couple of wicken, top-spinning forehands punish Berrettini’s forehand across court. HOLD, the players stop for drinks, 2-3*.
Andy Murray 1-3* Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
A second-serve bullet from Berrettini erases a break-back point for Murray.
It’s that drop shot again, doing wonders for Berrettini, it brings up game point.
And Murray fires a forehand on the move long, it’s a hold and the break advantage is confirmed.
Andy Murray *1-2 Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
Magia! Berrettini with a sublime, disguised drop shot, that viciously spins away from the court after landing barely a foot over the net.
Berrettini timing this well, from in to out, the forehand is a real weapon, whistling past Murray to bring up two break points.
Too good! Berrettini exposing Murray’s second serve, goes cross court to take the Scot out of play, then pummels a forehand past him into the open court. BREAK!
Just 40 percent first serves in for Murray, that’ll need fixing.
Andy Murray 1-1* Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
Terrific smash from Berrettini, leaning back, he puts the ball away with ease, excellent power. 15-0.
Powerful strokes from the Italian, Murray can only clip it just over the net, which leads to a drop shot.
The Scot covers the ground well, but his outstretched, delicate effort falls short.
Murray timing the Italian’s power so far, excellent defence, particularly with the backhand.
A bomb from Berrettini, unreturned serve, we’re level after eight minutes, 1-1.
Andy Murray *1-0 Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
And we’re off... Murray serves first and sends down a bomb, Berrettini’s return falls short of the net to hand the Scot the first point of the match.
A tasty backhand and shot of the match so far from the Italian down the line with Murray chasing back across court, 30-15.
Murray unfussed though and grabs a cheap point to bring up two game points.
Efficient from Murray, he strikes first here on serve, 1-0.
Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrettini - Stuttgart Open final
The players will be out on court shortly.
Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrettini for the Stuttgart Open title.
Andy Murray to play Lorenzo Sonego in first round at Queen’s
In other tennis news, Andy Murray will play Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the first round of the Cinch Championship at Queen’s, which starts on Monday.
The British number three will be bidding for his fifth tournament win as he continues his preparations for next month’s Wimbledon.
British number one Cameron Norrie, the third seed, takes on Bulgaria’s former Wimbledon semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov and second-ranked Briton Dan Evans faces defending champion Matteo Berrettini.
Ryan Peniston, the British number seven, has been handed a tough opening-round draw as he plays top seed and French Open runner-up Casper Ruud.
Andy Murray to play Lorenzo Sonego in first round at Queen’s
Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrettini live stream: How to watch Stuttgart Open final online and on TV
Andy Murray beat Nick Kyrgios in the semi-finals to move one win away from a first grass-court title in six years.
He faces Matteo Berrettini today - here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Stuttgart Open final
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