Andy Murray out of Australian Open: Briton talks retirement after defeat by Roberto Bautista Agut
Reaction from the first-round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne
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Your support makes all the difference.Andy Murray’s Australian Open is over after losing a thriller to Roberto Bautista Agut in what could be the final match of his career.
Murray is contemplating retirement due to the persistent hip injury that has blighted him for more than two years, with the three-time Grand Slam champion admitting last week that he will retire in 2019, hopefully after one last outing at Wimbledon in the summer.
But such is the pain that he is fighting, Murray could now choose to call it quits now that his Australian Open campaign has come to an end.
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What time does it start?
Murray vs Bautista Agut is due to begin not before 7am, and more likely to be around an 8am start once Kyle Edmund’s match against Tomas Berdych has completed.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Eurosport.
Odds
Andy Murray to win: 4/1
Roberto Bautista Agut to win: 1/5
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-4), 1-4 Bautista AgutIt's imperative that Murray holds his serve here in order to give himself chances to break the Spaniard, but it's clear to see that on every shot he's lifting his left leg to take the pressure off his hip. Bautista Agut hits long twice, but it's Murray's turn to fire long and it allows Bautista Agut into the game.
Murray then double-faults and the tank looks to be emptying here, as he grimaces following the serve in obvious pain, and a looping shot goes long to hand Bautista Agut another break point. He seizes his chance, and the writing looks on the wall for Murray.
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-4), 1-5 Bautista Agut*Bautista Agut starts by flashing a forehand past Murray, and the next serve is returned wide by Murray, much to his own frustration. Murray gets himself into the next point, but a forehand goes straight into the middle of the net and Bautista Agut needs no second invitation to wrap up the game. He's one game away from knocking out Murray.
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-4), 2-5 Bautista AgutThere's life in Murray yet. After a huge reception that delays the start of the game, he fires a winner down the middle to show he's not done yet. Murray then gives everything he's got left to try and reach a drop-shot, but despite getting there Bautista Agut matches him and sends back a winner.
15-15, but the trusty Murray serve returns with an ace to restore the advantage. Boy, he could do with a few more of those. But instead it's Bautista Agut who forces the error and he's back on level terms. A drop-shot goes into the net for Murray for match-point, but Murray saves it with one of the points of the match!
Deuce. Bautista Agut goes for it but finds the net and it's advantage Murray, and he wraps up the game with an ace. At least he's making Bautista Agut serve for it.
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-4), 2-6 Bautista Agut*And so we find ourselves here, after more than four hours, in what could be Andy Murray's final ever game of professional tennis.
He challenges a Bautista Agut winner but it's good, and that's 30-0 in a flash. Murray gives it all he's got, but an overhead smash gives Bautista Agut three match points.
He only needs one of them...
ANDY MURRAY IS OUT OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN!
If that is how Murray ends his career, what a brilliant performance to bow out on, even if it's in defeat. We're about to hear from both players, and there will be a special presentation on the court for Murray.
Bautista Agut:
Andy deserves the applause, Andy Murray deserves the fans. He was brilliant.
Bautista Agut on facing Australian John Millman in the second round:
Everyone here loves tennis and is very polite, and it's nice to play with this crowd. I want to rest well, enjoy the win over Andy and come back on Wednesday.
Andy Murray
Amazing. I'm actually going to be alright... that was incredible. Thank you sop so much to everyone who came out tonight. I've honestly loved playing here over the years. If that was my last match it was a perfect way to end, I gave everything I had but congratulations to Roberto and his team.
Andy Murray
I don't really have anything else to say. Maybe I'll see you again, I'll do everything possible to try if I want to go again. I'll need to have a big operation to come back but I'll give it my best shot. Thank you.
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