Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert LIVE: Dubai tennis result and latest reaction
Murray was beaten 6-2 6-4 by the in-form Humbert after dropping his latest hint about his future
Andy Murray is out of the ATP Dubai Tennis Championships after falling to a straight-sets defeat to Ugo Humbert in the second-round.
Murray was aiming to win back-to-back matches for the first time this season following his opening victory over Denis Shapovalov, but the in-form Humbert was in complete control of the contest as the Frenchman sealed a 6-2 6-4 win in 89 minutes.
Humbert, who is at a career-best ranking of 18, barely allowed Murray to win a point against serve, and the 36-year-old grew increasingly frustrated as he struggled to make any inroads on the returns.
Speculation has been rife over Murray’s future in the sport this season, with the three-time grand slam champion speaking openly in public about his retirement plans.
Murray hinted on Monday that he is entering the “last few months” of his career but the former World No 1 later told the Today Programme that he is aiming to compete at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Follow all the action from ATP Dubai below:
Andy Murray eyes fresh momentum after bringing up milestone with victory in Dubai
Murray’s fifth-round win was his 500th on a hard court, becoming only the fifth player in men’s tennis history to reach that figure.
The other four are Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal.
Not bad company.
Carlos Alcaraz faces injury worry after retiring at Rio Open
World No 2 Carlos Alcaraz faces an injury concern after injurying his ankle and sustaining an injury that forced him to retire from his Rio Open first-round match against Thiago Monteiro.
Alcaraz needed medical attention after twisting his right ankle on the second point of the contest but the 20-year-old returned to the court a little later with heavy strapping.
He played through the pain and managed to break Brazilian Monteiro’s serve but retired after being broken in the next game as the match ended with the score at 1-1.
“Tomorrow I’ll have a test for my ankle and let’s see if it’s something serious or not,” Alcaraz told reporters. “I felt bad. That was the first impression I had. I was feeling pain once I fell down, so I thought it was going to be difficult to continue if I was still having those feelings.”
Carlos Alcaraz faces injury worry after retiring at Rio Open
Jack Draper avenges Australian Open defeat with Mexican win over Tommy Paul
Jack Draper avenged his Australian Open defeat to Tommy Paul to book a place in the last 16 of the Mexican Open.
The British No 3 raced through the first set against the seventh seed, winning 6-0 in just over half an hour. But the American, who beat Draper in the second round in Melbourne after losing their two previous meetings, proved stiffer proposition in the second set.
Games remained on serve until Draper cashed in on his second break point to win 6-4.
Dan Evans could not capitalise on a fast start as he went down 6-2 5-7 6-7 to world No 17 Ben Shelton. The British No 2 won the first set 6-2, but dropped the second as the American converted his first break point of the match to claim the set.
Jack Draper avenges Australian Open defeat with Mexican Open win over Tommy Paul
Andy Murray drops retirement hint with ‘last few months’ comment after Dubai win
Andy Murray has admitted that he may be playing his “last few months” of professional tennis as the 36-year-old continues to hint at a possible retirement.
Speculation over Murray’s future has swirled since a first-round defeat at the Australian Open in January, with the Scot suggesting after the event that he may have made his final appearance in Melbourne.
The 36-year-old has struggled for top form since, but was back closer to his best in an impressive first round win over Denis Shapovalov at the Dubai Open on Monday.
Murray dug deep to battle back and secure a 4-6 7-6 (5) 6-3 over the Canadian, setting up a second round encounter with either Gael Monfils or Ugo Humbert.
Andy Murray drops retirement hint with ‘last few months’ comment after Dubai win
What time is Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert? How to watch Dubai Open match online and on TV
Andy Murray will look to make it back-to-back wins for the first time in 2024 when he takes on Ugo Humbert in the last-16 of the Dubai Open on Wednesday.
Murray has struggled for form so far in 2024 but battled past former top-10 player Denis Shapovalov in the first round at the start of the week.
After the match, the three-time Grand Slam champion conceded he may be playing his “last few months” of professional tennis, with his retirement from the sport looming large.
The Scot will have his work cut out for him in the last 16 as he takes on world no. 18 Humbert, although he has won his two previous encounters against the Frenchman, who beat fellow countryman Gael Monfils to reach this stage.
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