Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrettini LIVE: US Open tennis score and result today
Murray faced his stiffest challenge so far at the US Open as he took on the Italian 13th seed Berrettini in New York
Andy Murray fell to defeat in a hard-fought contest with 13th seed Matteo Berrettini, losing 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 3-6.
Berrettini produced a flurry of aces as he dominated with his serve, while Murray’s flagging first serve percentage saw him lose the first two sets meekly, with double faults thrown in at crucial moments when break point down.
Murray rallied in the third set, however, saving numerous break points before forcing a tie-break, which he won comprehensively as his Italian opponent clearly tightened up and mistakes came into his game.
But it was not to be for Murray, who broke immediately in the fourth set only to lose his own serve the very next game, and again late in the set.
Murray down a break in the first set
Murray seemed a little rattled by the sun, which he was serving into there, and perhaps was put off by Berrettini’s provocative positioning on the return too, as the Italian waited wide in the tramlines, inviting the serve down the T on to his forehand. Murray seemed to get a bit discombobulated and the result is a first break.
Andy Murray 3-4 *Matteo Berrettini
A funny moment to start the game as Murray totally frames a smash at the net, but to such an extent that it loops up and drops just over the net for a drop-shot winner. Murray laughs and apologises at the same time, as Berrettini rolls his eyes. The Italian offers up a delicious drop shot from the back of the court to draw level at 15-all but Murray’s first serve earns him the next point. Berrettini responds with an excellent deep forehand in the next rally for 30-all. Berrettini then drives Murray back and drops him short, and although Murray rushes to get a racket on to the ball he can only hit the net: break point, and Murray double faults! Terrible timing for his first double of the match, and Berrettini breaks.
*denotes next server.
Andy Murray* 3-3 Matteo Berrettini
A terrific Berrettini crosscourt forehand lands on the junction of service line and sideline for a clean winner, and he follows it with a well-disguised drop shot to reach 30-0. Murray has the edge on the longer points and wins the next rally when Berrettini goes long, but then comes an ace for 40-15. What follows is the shot of the match by Murray, a stunning one-handed backhand pass down the line, on the run. Woof! Even Berrettini acknowledges it with a tap of the racket. A first double fault then brings up deuce and a rare sniff of a break for Murray. Berrettini’s fifth ace of the match gives him advantage, Murray responds with a brilliant forehand lob for deuce, and then a short slice draws a mistake from Berrettini to hand Murray his first break point. Murray blocks back a huge serve but can’t stop the Italian from winning the point with a drop shot. Another ace, and then another big serve, and Berrettini escapes with a nervy hold.
*denotes next server.
Andy Murray 3-2 *Matteo Berrettini
Murray’s best game, serving well and then dominating the only rally Berrettini manages to initiate. A second hold to love.
*denotes next server.
Andy Murray* 2-2 Matteo Berrettini
Berrettini offers up another wild mix of powerful first serves and unforced errors to get to 30-all, and a possible window of opportunity for Murray. But the Italian drives two more fantastic serves, one to the body and then to the backhand, to quickly wrap up the game and see off any threat of a break. A good contest, this.
*denotes next server.
Andy Murray 2-1 *Matteo Berrettini
Murray targets his second serve on to Berrettini’s weaker backhand and it pays off with a dumped return into the net. Murray gives up a first point on his serve with a long forehand, then loops another wildly wide to fall behind 15-30, but draws level when the Italian fires a forehand just wide of the line. Then a stroke of misfortune as a forehand hits the net and drops just out, giving Berrettini his first break point of the match: he wastes it with a backhand into the net, a poor unforced error, and that’s deuce. Murray targets the backhand as they rally, to win the next two points and clinch the game.
*denotes next server.
Andy Murray* 1-1 Matteo Berrettini
A second serve gives Murray an immediate opening and he takes it, pouncing on a net cord and putting away a crosscourt forehand winner. But Berrettini earns his first point of the match and then fires an ace down the T to lead 30-15. Murray then gives up a cheap point, chipping wide as he attempted a forehand down the line, but he wins the next two via a well-constructed rally and a Berrettini error to force deuce. The Italian responds with an ace, but a fantastic Murray return to Berrettini’s feet draws them back to deuce. A 135mph ace brings up advantage once more to the 13th seed, and Murray finally relinquishes the game with a forehand into the net.
*denotes next server.
Andy Murray 1-0 *Matteo Berrettini
Murray starts with two accurate first serves which earn him the first two points of the match without reply. Berrettini gets into the next two points via second serves, but hits the net and then fires wide with a forehand to seal Murray’s first service game to love. Here comes the powerful Berrettini serve...
*denotes next server.
Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrettini
Andy Murray will serve first...
Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrettini
Greg Rusedski and Tim Henman both sound upbeat about Murray’s chances against the 13th seed. Sepaking on Amazon Prime Video, Rusedski is predicting four or five sets and a real mammoth battle, while Henman thinks Murray has a real chance if he can start well.
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