Andy Murray - A defeat that gives hope
In the second round of the ATP 500 tournament in Rotterdam,Andy Murrayhad to admit defeat to Russian Andrey Rublev in two sets. After the bankruptcy against the top ten man, the Scot still smelled a fuse.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Mar 04, 2021, 07:25 pm
5: 7, 2: 6. For laypeople, these numbers may initially read like a clear two-sentence defeat: a somewhat contested first round, an already much easier second section - nothing special in professional tennis. For Andy Murray , however, these numbers are cause for hope. In the hope that the former world number one can perhaps achieve one or the other tournament success after all.
Finally, on Wednesday evening, Murray and Andrey Rublev faced a player who should also play for Grand Slam titles in the next few years. The Russian is already eighth in the world rankings, and last season he had five strong tournament victories. "I want to play at this level because I can learn a lot from these matches like tonight," said Muray after the game against his opponent, who was ten years his junior.
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Especially in the first round, Murray, who had his first ATP Tour win of the current season against Robin Haase in the first round in Rotterdam , celebrated some great tennis and was even slightly superior to Rublev in terms of play. "I lost my service game after 30: 0. I hit two double faults and a bad forehand. It's just not good enough for me," said the 33-year-old self-critical as usual.
Next chance in Dubai?
Probably he should have won the first set, in the second Rublev was the better player, says Murray. The world number 123 wanted too hard. Still don't judge yourself: "I feel that there were some good and positive signs tonight. When it got important, it wasn't good enough."
"I'll have to improve," said Murray. The three-time Grand Slam winner - if he receives a wildcard from the organizers - will get the next opportunity to do so at the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai. "I just want to go out there and compete and enjoy what I'm doing."
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