Murray true to word with second round exit at US Open

Friday, 31 August 2018 00:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

NEW YORK (Reuters): Andy Murray lived up to his pre-tournament prediction that he would not win this year’s US Open when he was beaten 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-4 by Spain’s Fernando Verdasco in the second round on Wednesday.

The former world number one and 2012 US Open champion, who is still working his way back from hip surgery and had earlier downplayed his chances, battled Verdasco for nearly three hours and 30 minutes before finally surrendering on a fourth match point while trying to force a fifth set.

“I think some of the tennis I played today was some of the best I’ve played since I had the surgery or since I came back,” said Murray.

“But there were also periods in the match, especially in the first set, where I really didn’t play particularly well.

“Then kind of at the end, when my back was against the wall, I came up with some good tennis to make it close and interesting.”