Andy Murray suffered a humbling first-round defeat to Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Australian Open to bring the end of his brilliant career another step closer. The five-time finalist had promised to “enjoy” his tennis more this year after a frustrating end to last season.
But against the ruthless No.30 seed from Argentina, the Scot failed to show his usual passion – or anger when he was losing – as he went down to a flat, one-sided defeat.
Despite the support of most of the 5,000 fans in the Kia Arena, the outcome was not really in doubt from the start of the second set as Etcheverry won 6-4 6-2 6-2.
Murray, aged 36 and with a metal hip, was out-hit and out-run by the 24-year-old with the best of his career ahead of him. He was broken five times and made 35 unforced errors. The three-time Grand Slam winner has now not reached the quarter-final of a Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2017.
He beat No.14 seed Matteo Berrettini in five sets in the first round here last year and then beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in another marathon.
Yet he ended the year with only two wins in his last five events and he has now started 2024 with consecutive defeats. His aim of returning to the world’s top 32 – and getting seeded to allow one final crack at a Grand Slam – seems as far away as ever.
Claycourt specialist Etcheverry broke in the very first game but broke back in a nine-minute second game. We seemed set for another Murray classic.
The Scot had a point to break and lead 4-2 but failed to converted and was broken on the seventh game when he steered another weak forehand into the net. The Argentine took the first set with an ace after 61 minutes with the temperature still at 29 degrees at 6pm local time.
The pair’s previous two meetings had been shared with the winner losing the first set in both matches. This time was different.
At 1-1 in the second set, Murray saved three break points – the third with an outrageous drop shot winner – before he gave up his serve with another forehand error.
Murray broken again to trail 5-2 when his backhand drop volley ended in the middle of the net. This time Etcheverry, who had not won a match this season, finished the set with two aces.
The world No.44 saved a first match point with a backhand winner but conceded the second with another forehand error after two hours and 23 minutes. While Murray left to a standing ovation, Frech Open quarter-finalist Etcheverry said: “He was one of my idols. Today I played incredibly. I want to keep going.
