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.
Andy Murray speaking before this match
On Matteo Berrettini: “He's not just a good serve, he's got a good backhand slice, a strong forehand and he's a good competitor, so it's not going to be easy.”
Andy Murray speaking before this match
On his fitness: "I'm not having to worry about waking up the next day with something that's going to really impact or hamper my tennis. At times this year I've not been happy with where my game is at, and at other times I've shown myself I can compete with the best players in the world."
Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrettini
The players are out on court at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, where the fans are slowly drifting to their seats. Coin toss and warm-up coming up.
Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk rejects handshake from Belarus’s Victoria Azarenka at US Open
Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk on Thursday refused to shake hands with her Belarusian opponent Victoria Azarenka and instead opted for a racket tap after their second-round match at the US Open.
Kostyuk was defeated 6-2, 6-3 by Azarenka.
The 20-year-old Ukrainian has been among the most vocal critics of the lack of condemnation from Russian and Belarusian players to the invasion of her country.
“I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do in the circumstances I’m in right now,” Kostyuk said. “I don’t know any single person who condemned the war publicly, and the actions of their government so I don’t feel like I can support this.”
“We had a great match, don’t get me wrong. She’s a great competitor, I respect her as an athlete, but that has nothing to do with her being a human being.”
Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk rejects handshake from Belarus’s Victoria Azarenka at US Open
‘She’s a great competitor, I respect her as an athlete, but that has nothing to do with her being a human being’
Czech doubles pair apologise to crowd for beating Venus and Serena Williams at US Open
The U.S. Open turned over Arthur Ashe Stadium to the Williams sisters on Thursday for a prime-time first round doubles match that could have been Serena‘s last after the pair fell 7-6 (5) 6-4 to the Czech duo of Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova.
Winners of 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, including two U.S. Opens, the Williams sisters were playing together for the first time in more than four years, the occasion attracting a capacity crowd to watch one of tennis’s most successful partnerships take perhaps a final bow.
If it was indeed the last time the Williams sisters would stand shoulder-to-shoulder on court, the end came with little sentiment or emotion. The two greats embraced briefly at the net then stoically packed their bags, exited to a standing ovation and offered only a gentle wave to the cheering crowd.
“I’m so sorry for you that we beat them, but we are so happy that we did it,” apologised Hradecka to the crowd after the match. “I’m still in shock.”
Czech doubles pair apologise to crowd for beating Williams sisters at US Open
The loss could well spell an end to Serena’s doubles career as she prepares to retire from the sport
British men flying at US Open
Draper is clearly now a danger to everyone in the draw and will fancy his chances of another upset when he takes on 27th seed Karen Khachanov on Friday.
Murray, meanwhile, faces a familiar rival in last year’s Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini, who he has lost to twice on grass in the last two seasons.
The pair are regular practice partners and hit together before the tournament. Berrettini was impressed by Murray, saying: “I can say that the level is really high. He was playing well.
“Physically he’s well. Obviously it’s a different surface. We played on grass. Here it’s completely different. But it doesn’t matter. When you play Andy Murray, you’re playing Andy Murray. You have to play your best tennis.”
A permanent fixture courtside this week watching the British players, as at every slam, has been Davis Cup captain Leon Smith, and the Scot has a tricky decision on his hands when it comes to naming his final team for the group stage of the finals in Glasgow later this month.
Smith has already picked Norrie, Evans, Murray and world doubles number one Joe Salisbury and only has one space left, which looks to be between Draper and in-form doubles specialist Neal Skupski.
“It’s going to be difficult,” said Evans. “But that’s why Leon is paid the big bucks. But it’s an amazing problem to have.”
British men flying at US Open
Evans looked be cruising against Australian Duckworth at two sets up before things got a little complicated but the 20th seed fought back from a break down in the fourth set to win 6-3 6-2 4-6 6-4, running to the net in delight.
Another historic moment will come after the tournament when Draper will join Norrie, Evans and Murray in making it the first time since the formalisation of the rankings in 1973 that there are four British men in the top 50.
The 20-year-old began the season outside 250 but has climbed at a phenomenal rate and gave the most exciting demonstration yet of his potential by defeating sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets on Wednesday.
He is reaping the benefits of having more experienced players to learn from and look up to, and he said: “I think I’ve known my tennis ability has been good for a long time now.
“I’ve obviously had the privilege to hit with Andy, Cam, Dan. They’re top players in their own right. I know I could hold my own a while back with them.
“It’s more been about how am I going to cope mentally and physically at this level and do it consistently. That’s what top-tier tennis is all about, being able to be there every single point, compete with these guys.
“It’s mad really. My target at the start of the year was two things: stay injury-free and try to break the top 100. Now I’m going to be top 50.
“I’m obviously very proud of myself. It’s a nice thing for all my hard work that I’ve put in on a daily basis with the people that care about me and support me. Hopefully onwards and upwards from here.”
British men flying at US Open
It has been a great week so far on the men’s side. British history was made at the US Open on Friday as Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans joined Andy Murray and Jack Draper in making it four through to the third round for the first time since the start of professional tennis.
Not since 1933, when the tournament was known as the US National Championship and was played by fewer players from far fewer countries, has Britain had four men through to the last 32 in New York.
It is also only the second time in the open era that four British men have reached the third round at any grand slam after Wimbledon 25 years ago.
Norrie and Evans are both seeds so were expected to make it through against Joao Sousa and James Duckworth, respectively.
Norrie rarely loses such matches these days and, although he had to save a set point in the third, he was a relatively comfortable 6-4 6-4 7-6 (4) winner over Portugal’s Sousa.
He said: “I think it’s very cool. And especially I think all of us supporting each other. It’s great. For me it’s cool to see Jack. I knew he had the level and I knew he had the tennis and the talent to do it. I’ve been practising with him a lot the last two years. I don’t see why we can’t keep going.”
Order of play today at the US Open
Arthur Ashe Stadium
Not before 5pm BST
Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrettini
Madison Keys vs Coco Gauff
Not before 12am BST
Ajla Tomlijanovic vs Serena Williams
Daniil Medvedev vs Yibing Wu
Louis Armstrong Stadium
Not before 5pm BST
Ons Jabeur vs Shelby Rodgers
Tommy Paul vs Casper Ruud
Alison Riske-Amritraj vs Xiyu Wang
Not before 12am BST
Bianca Andreescu vs Caroline Garcia
Nick Krygios vs JJ Wolf
Grandstand
Not before 5:30pm BST
Veronika Kudermetova vs Dalma Galfi
Karen Khachanov vs Jack Draper
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Alex De Minaur
Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrettini
Andy Murray faces the biggest test of his grand slam season so far as the former world No 1 takes on Matteo Berrettini in the third round of the US Open tonight.
Murray is through to the third round of a major for the just the third time since 2017 and has been in impressive form in moving past Francisco Cerundolo and Emilio Nava so far.
But a meeting with the former US Open semi-finalist and 2021 Wimbledon finalist Berrettini is a step up.
The Italian was on patchy form leading up to the US Open, losing his opening match in both Montreal and Cincinnati, but beat Murray over three sets in the final at Stuttgart back in June.
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