Andy Murray vs Holger Rune LIVE: Result and reaction from pre-Wimbledon exhibition

Murray will now head to Wimbledon after Rune won 6-4 6-4 at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic at Hurlingham

Andy Murray addresses retirement rumours ahead of his 15th Wimbledon

Andy Murray was beaten in his final match before Wimbledon as Holger Rune won 6-4 6-4 in their exhibition match at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic at Hurlingham. Murray was unable to use his superior experience on grass to his advantage as the 20-year-old Dane broke late in the first set and early in the second on his way to victory.

The 36-year-old Murray will now head to Wimbledon on the back of a mixed grass-court campaign that has brought titles at Challenger events at Surbiton and Nottingham, but has been followed by two defeats in a row following his first-round exit at Queen’s to Alex de Minuar and this loss to the world No 6 Rune at Hurlingham Club.

It will be a reminder of the challenge that awaits Murray in SW19, with the two-time Wimbledon champion set to be unseeded and at the mercy of Friday’s draw. Follow live scores and updates as Andy Murray faces Holger Rune ahead of Wimbledon

Andy Murray vs Holger Rune LIVE: Latest Hurlingham Club updates

• Andy Murray beaten by Holger Rune in pre-Wimbledon exhibition
• Rune defeats Murray 6-4 6-4 ahead of start of SW19 on Monday

[28 June 2023 15:57 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Andy Murray 4-6 Holger Rune

And the first set is his! Holger Rune takes it 6-4 with a confident hold to love.

Solid enough from both players thus far, but Rune has been the more consistently threatening, particularly when attacking Andy Murray’s second serve. Four saved break points help, too.

(Getty Images)

[28 June 2023 16:03 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Andy Murray 4-6, 0-1 Holger Rune

Groans from the Hurlingham crowd - Andy Murray can do whatever he likes with a Ruud block that sits up invitingly about five yards beyond the net, but the Scot wobbles a feeble drop shot into the net.

And here comes Holger. It’s back-to-back breaks either side of securing the first set.

[28 June 2023 16:07 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Andy Murray 4-6, 0-2 Holger Rune

That’s more to the crowd’s liking, Murray moving niftily to his left and fizzing a stinger up the line. It proves the only real cheer of the game as Rune extends his advantage.

[28 June 2023 16:10 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Andy Murray 4-6, 1-2 Holger Rune

A much needed hold for Andy Murray stops the rot, the Scot slumping down into his chair and taking three deep draws from his water bottle. Work to be done to fight his way back into this one with Rune growing in comfort game-by-game.

[28 June 2023 16:13 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Andy Murray 4-6, 1-3 Holger Rune

Rune is prepared to play more proactively in points now, forcing Murray on the defensive. An authoritative overhead has his opponent almost jumping for cover and a two-game lead restored.

[28 June 2023 16:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Andy Murray 4-6, 2-3 Holger Rune

There is some fight left in Murray, though, the Scot lifting with the crowd, firmly in his favour as is ever the case on any British court. “Come on Andy,” a woman cries as her man pops a backhand into the net, but a well directed serve is enough to narrow the gap down again.

Still a break behind.

[28 June 2023 16:20 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Andy Murray 4-6, 2-4 Holger Rune

A groan with every stroke in an extended rally from Murray, playing passively and asking Rune to make an error, which does eventually come. But Rune’s serve is starting to become more and more of a weapon - Murray is motionless as the Dane spears one across him.

Two more unreturned serves and another game goes Rune’s way.

[28 June 2023 16:28 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Andy Murray 4-6, 3-4 Holger Rune

New balls for Andy Muray to enjoy, sent across the net with a mighty thwack as he goes 30-0 up. And there’s a third consecutive point, an anxious look to the line as his drop volley drifts replaced by a more pleased disposition as it lands safely.

Back to deuce! Murray slaps at his heels, furious at himself for letting Rune back in the game, a double fault included in a sequence that displeases the Scot.

“Harder! Come on!” is Murray’s next cry as he struggles to correct his errors. An obliging Rune makes two unforced mistakes of his own to allow his opponent to escape from a bit of a predicament.

[28 June 2023 16:33 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Andy Murray 4-6, 3-5 Holger Rune

Now then. Hope for Murray? Rune scuds a forehand into the meshed divider before the veteran shows him how it is done with a much smoother version of a similar stroke to get to 0-30.

But, as has been the case throughout this match, Rune lifts his game as Murray gets a sniff at a chance, taking the next four points and to within a game of victory.

[28 June 2023 16:38 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Andy Murray 4-6, 4-5 Holger Rune

Deft from Holger Rune, darting up to the net and narrowing the angles before producing a cleverly cut backhand volley. Deuce.

Just wide! Rune reacts superbly to get the strings in the way of a fierce forehand destined to hit him right between the eyes, and nearly manages to fashion a winner out of it, too, but it comes down half-a-foot wide.

Murray keeps the light shining for one more game at least.