ATP Cologne: Murray loses against Verdasco - no meeting with Zverev
Andy Murray was eliminated in round one of the first of two ATP Tour 250 tournaments in Cologne. The Brit lost 4: 6 and 4: 6 to Fernando Verdasco and thus missed a meeting with Alexander Zverev, who was in first position, in round two.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Oct 14, 2020, 12:19 am
Late starts are not uncommon for Andy Murray. The fact that he was only allowed to start his match against Fernando Verdasco at just before half past ten as the third match of the second day at the ATP Tour 250 tournament in Cologne came as a surprise. The Spaniard made the most of it in the 17th encounter between the two veterans. And won 6: 4 and 6: 4 after a little more than 100 minutes of play. For Verdasco it was only the fourth win against Murray, who missed four break chances in the very last game. Fernando Verdasco finished the match with an ace and made a second-round duel with tournament favorite Alexander Zverev clear.
In the early afternoon Daniel Altmaier lost 6: 3, 3: 6 and 6: 7 (5) against Henri Laaksonen from Switzerland on the center court in Cologne's Lanxess Arena. Marin Cilic then had his hands full with Lucky Loser Marcus Giron, but won 6: 2, 4: 6 and 6: 3. The smooth 6: 0 and 6: 3 by Gilles Simon against Marton Fucsovics, who played big at the French Open and beat Daniil Medvedev in round one, came as a bit of a surprise.
While up to 999 fans were allowed in the hall on Tuesday, the game will be played without spectators from Wednesday due to a new regulation by the Cologne city administration. 250 tennis fans would actually be allowed, but tournament director Edwin Weindorfer decided on the zero solution.