Citi Open: Andy Murray beaten by Mikael Ymer in Washington as preparation for 2022 US Open gets off to poor start

Andy Murray was crushed within the first spherical of the Citi Open as Mikael Ymer got here out on high in a rollercoaster match in Washington.

Ymer beat the previous world No. 1 7-6(8) 4-6 6-1 within the Brit’s first onerous courtroom match since February and Murray’s hopes of a robust build-up to the US Open, which begins on August 29, have taken successful.

Each gamers appeared to battle bodily and it was Ymer who edged out Murray in a good first set which lasted 80 minutes.

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The Briton led the tie-break 6-4, solely to lose the set 7-6(8). Nonetheless. he fought again within the second by profitable 5 of the ultimate six video games to return from 3-1 right down to degree the match, however he couldn’t use his momentum within the third regardless of being backed by the group in Washington.

Ymer broke Murray’s serve 3 times within the closing set and can face Aslan Karatsev within the subsequent spherical.

“I feel he appeared like perhaps he was cramping slightly bit within the second set, however recovered completely tremendous after the break on the finish of the set.” mentioned Murray.

“He went off to alter and funky off slightly bit, and he recovered nicely for the third, whereas I did not actually. Yeah, it’s simply irritating.

“Truly in Newport I cramped proper on the finish of considered one of my matches there. It’s actually scorching and humid. Normally I fairly get pleasure from enjoying in these circumstances.

“I struggled slightly bit the previous two tournaments with that. I must have slightly have a look at that with my group and perhaps see why that’s, make a couple of adjustments.”

What’s subsequent for Murray?

Murray has only one extra occasion on his confirmed schedule, the Montreal Masters subsequent week, earlier than he heads to Flushing Meadows on the finish of the month.

The 35-year-old is undecided whether or not he’ll enter the second Masters 1000 occasion after Montreal, the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati (August 14-21).

Ought to he battle for kind, Murray could play within the Winston-Salem Open (August 21-27) to search out some confidence going into the ultimate Grand Slam of 2022 which runs from August 29 to September 11.