Andy Murray’s shaky build-up to the French Open continued on Tuesday, as world No 85 Yannick Hanfmann closed out the straight-sets win that he had been denied on Monday night.
Rain and gusty winds had ended play early on the Geneva Open on Monday, with Hanfmann holding a dominant 7-5, 4-1 lead. On Tuesday, solely three extra video games have been required to verify Hanfmann’s victory, by way of a 6-2 scoreline within the second set.
These of a nostalgic persuasion would possibly really feel upset that Murray missed out on a second-round assembly with Novak Djokovic, the highest seed and world No 1 who had acquired a first-round bye. That privilege will now go to Hanfmann as a substitute.
But Murray didn’t look able to tackle a participant of such excessive calibre, even after the current kind points (and potential concussion issues, after the unlucky incident with a metallic water bottle in Rome) which have stricken Djokovic’s season.
Coming back from a seven-week lay-off attributable to ruptured ankle ligaments, Murray misplaced early on the Bordeaux Challenger final week and was no extra convincing right here. His motion is laborious and the change to a brand new racket seems to have created as many points because it has solved.
Sure, the Yonex Ezone 100 may need extra pop than the normal Head body that Murray has been utilizing for the final decade or extra. However he didn’t appear assured about the place the ball was going, and delivered a woefully low first-serve proportion, with solely 4 out of 10 makes an attempt touchdown on course.
Murray will now transfer on to Paris to organize for the French Open, which begins on Sunday. On present proof, nonetheless, this appears prone to be a quick keep earlier than he switches to his favorite floor: English grass.
He has stated that 2024 might be his closing tilt on the Wimbledon title he received in 2013 and 2016. “I’m wanting ahead to the top now,” Murray stated after he turned his ankle in Miami in late March. “Give my finest the subsequent few months and get to be at house with my household.”
