Andy Murray was knocked out of the Miami Open in a dramatic 5-7 7-5 7-6 (7-5) last-32 defeat by Tomas Machac.
The Briton, 36, secured his ninth break level to take a 6-5 lead within the opening set earlier than serving out to like.
However Machac hit again to win the second set after which clinched the match in a third-set tie-break, having beforehand been damaged when serving to progress.
Murray acquired therapy on an ankle harm late within the third set and was additionally agitated by motion within the crowd.
Elsewhere, British primary Cameron Norrie misplaced 7-5 6-1 to 3rd seed Daniil Medvedev in simply 81 minutes.
Murray loses thriller
Murray’s match in opposition to 23-year-old Czech Republic participant Machac lasted three hours and 27 minutes and noticed him save match level to pressure a tie-break.
After the Briton secured the opening set, Machac broke Murray for the primary time at 6-5 within the second – which was interrupted by a quick rain delay – to attract degree.
However Murray’s frustration grew with folks within the crowd shifting and umpire Carlos Bernardes on the finish of that set.
In response to an unheard reply from Bernardes to Murray’s “ineffective, ineffective” remark, the Scot responded: “What are you speaking about? It is fairly apparent when individuals are standing up between each single level.”
Machac raced right into a 3-0 lead within the decider, however Murray retrieved a break and saved match level when serving to remain within the match earlier than succumbing to defeat when he misplaced the tie-break.
The Scot had worryingly gone down with an ankle harm on the internet after hitting the winner to degree at 5-5 within the third set.
He acquired therapy from the physio and managed to proceed however couldn’t overcome a resolute Machac, who’s ranked two locations decrease than 58th-placed Murray.
Medvedev has an excessive amount of for Norrie
Norrie, 28, conceded two early breaks within the opening set in opposition to Medvedev and left himself with an excessive amount of to do.
He was blown away by Medvedev’s serve within the second set, with the Russian successful eight of 9 first-serve factors.
The world quantity three was completely happy to progress, however expressed considerations concerning the balls getting used after the win.
“It’s kind of unusual,” stated Medvedev. “The courtroom is fairly quick however the balls get outdated very quick.
“So at one second within the rally, you’re feeling like there is not a lot you are able to do, so you possibly can’t go for the winner as a result of the chance reward is not there.
“It is the identical for the opponent, so we simply hit, hit.”
In the meantime, Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner misplaced the primary set to the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor earlier than the Italian recovered after a rain break to win 5-7 7-5 6-1.
Norway‘s seventh seed Casper Ruud progressed with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Spain‘s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Nonetheless, Denmark‘s Holger Rune suffered a 6-1 6-1 defeat by Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in 59 minutes.
