Andy Murray vs Alex de Minaur RESULT: Monte Carlo Masters score and reaction
Andy Murray was beaten by Alex de Minaur on his return to clay in Monte Carlo on Monday
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A lacklustre Andy Murray was soundly beaten by Alex de Minaur, 6-1 6-3, in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Monday.
His first match on clay in 2023, Murray never got going in the principality and hit a mammoth 26 unforced errors on Court Rainier III.
De Minaur was efficient in his work, but three-time Grand Slam winner Murray produced a very below-par performance, at one point seemingly apologising to the crowd for a poor drop-shot, with a comeback so typical of Murray this season never on the cards here. Murray is yet to confirm when he will next be in action. It could be as early as next week in Barcelona or Munich, with the next Masters 1000 event in Madrid in two weeks’ time.
Earlier on Monday, British No 1 Cameron Norrie lost in straight-sets to Francisco Cerundolo but Jack Draper came through his match against Sebastian Baez.
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Goodbye!
Thanks for tuning in to The Independent’s coverage of Andy Murray’s return to clay in Monte Carlo. Ultimately, a day to forget for the Brit - but he’ll be sure to bounce back!
Andy Murray thrashed in Monte Carlo Masters first round by Alex de Minaur
A lacklustre Andy Murray was soundly beaten by Alex de Minaur in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Monday.
His first match on clay in 2023, Murray never got going in the principality and hit a mammoth 26 unforced errors on Court Rainier III.
De Minaur was efficient in his work, but three-time Grand Slam winner Murray produced a very below-par performance, at one point seemingly apologising to the crowd for a poor drop-shot, with a comeback so typical of Murray this season never on the cards here.
Murray is yet to confirm when he will next be in action. It could be as early as next week in Barcelona or Munich, with the next Masters 1000 event in Madrid in two weeks’ time.
Andy Murray thrashed in Monte Carlo Masters first round
Murray 1-6 3-6 De Minaur: The Brit had a day to forget back on the clay in Monte Carlo, making 26 unforced errors in a straight-sets defeat
What next for Andy Murray?
The 35-year-old has not confirmed his plans for his next tournament.
It could be as early as next week in Barcelona or Munich, with the next Masters 1000 event in Madrid in two weeks’ time.
Either way, he will have to be a lot better than he was this afternoon.
Alex de Minaur beats Andy Murray 6-1 6-3 in Monte Carlo first round
It’s over for Andy Murray in Monte Carlo - Alex de Minaur a deserved winner on Court Rainier III!
A game of lengthy exchanges concludes this match, but it’s representative of the match as a whole with De Minaur coming out on top!
Murray can have no complaints. Largely, an hour and 26 minutes to forget!
Murray holds (Murray 1-6 3-5 De Minaur*)
De Minaur was two points away, at 15-30, but Murray finds a way - approaching the net with some success - to hold his serve and forces the Aussie to serve it out...
Is this where the comeback starts?
De Minaur holds to go a game away (*Murray 1-6 2-5 De Minaur)
Murray does well, with a vew varied spins and slices, to get to 30-30 but then hits a forehand drop shot into the net - so loose!
After the drop shot, Murray almost apologises to the crowd for that effort! Have you ever seen him do that?!
A final error sees De Minaur get to a game away from a place in the second round.
Murray holds and saves two break points (Murray 1-6 2-4 De Minaur*)
The match looks to be virtually sealed by Alex de Minaur at 15-40, but Murray valiantly saves them - and holds to stay within touch!
4-2...
De Minaur holds to 15 (*Murray 1-6 1-4 De Minaur)
For all of Murray’s errors, De Minaur has been efficient in his work so far. An hour in, and he’s already two games from victory.
Murray goes wide with a forehand - once again - and trudges over to his bench.
It’ll take a hell of an effort to come back from this point...
De Minaur breaks for 3-1 (Murray 1-6 1-3 De Minaur*)
We’re back to first-set Murray there, as he loses his serve to 15!
He does chase down a drop-shot and wins the point but his forehand is all over the place out there and going awry at every opportunity.
A face of frustration we have seen many times etched on the Brit’s face.
De Minaur holds - after hat-gate! (*Murray 1-6 1-2 De Minaur)
Entertaining game that!
Murray not happy at 15-15, with his hat falling off during the point but with De Minaur hitting a drop shot straight away - the umpire gives the point to De Minaur!
Murray then hits a brilliant pass at 40-15, but then hits a drop shot softly into the net.
Murray’s conversation with umpire Carlos Bernades continues at the interval...
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