Challenger Biella: Andy Murray wrestles Maximilian Marterer
While the first Grand Slam title of the season is up for grabs in Melbourne, Andy Murray serves at the Challenger event in Biela. There the Scot was able to defeat the German Maximilian Marterer in round one after a hard fight.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Feb 09, 2021, 06:45 pm
It was a positive COVID-19 test that should throw Andy Murray's plans for 2021 into disarray. This made it impossible for the Scotsman to travel to Down Under on time to complete the mandatory quarantine there before the first Grand Slam of the year. The consequence: As in the previous year, the Australian Open 2021 will take place without the participation of the former world number one.
Instead, Murray ended up in Italy, more specifically in Biella, where the Scot is going to start at a Challenger event. In round one, Maxi Marterer impressively demonstrated to the three-time Grand Slam champion that good tennis is also shown at this level. The German won set one against Murrray in the tiebreak, but then had to admit defeat 7: 6 (3), 2: 6 and 3: 6.
The Scot, who was seeded number one, now faces the Italian Gian Marco Moroni, number two of the tournament is the local hero Frederico Gaio.