Andy Murray vs Marcos Giron LIVE: Latest updates from Stuttgart Open as Wimbledon preparation begins
Murray is back on court after early exits in the singles and doubles at the French Open
Andy Murray begins his grass court season at the Stuttgart Open as he kicks off his grass court season with an eye on performing strongly at Wimbledon.
Murray’s Wimbledon preparation could also be the start of a farewell as he has previously hinted at a possible retirement this summer meaning this could be his final season as a professional.
Today’s match is against Marcos Giron who will be a tough opponent for the 37-year-old with the American having climbed into the world’s top 50 this year.
Elsewhere, Emma Raducanu will be in action at the Nottingham Open. Raducanu missed the French Open to focus on her fitness ahead of the grass court season. She takes on Ena Shibahara as she continues her comeback following wrist and ankle operations last year.
Follow all the live action from Stuttgart and Nottingham in the blog below:
*Andy Murray 3-6 2-4 Marcos Giron
Marcos Giron breathes out then laces a serve down the middle before smashing a return back past Murray’s defence. The simplest of holds for the American who is charging towards a straight set victory.
Andy Murray 3-6 2-3 Marcos Giron*
When his first serve lands Murray has more control of the rallies. When he misses his first serve, Giron steps into court and looks to punish the Scot.
Twice he mullers backhand returns from serve but twice Giron finds the net. Murray holds.
*Andy Murray 3-6 1-3 Marcos Giron
Bang, bang. Again Marcos Giron goes form deuce to a hold of serve with two forceful shots and the American manages to secure his break with a hold of serve.
Lots of work for Murray to do now.
Andy Murray 3-6 1-2 Marcos Giron*
Murray is a fierce competitor and will fight to the very end. Much like at the French Open he’s making too many mistakes, hitting the net and not finding the right angles.
Giron moves 40-30 up with a backhand slice drop shot that Murray gives up but the Scot digs in and takes the game to deuce.
Andy Murray 3-6 1-2 Marcos Giron* - BREAK!
Murray is the one under pressure now. He sends a forehand into the net before chipping a lob shot well out of play to put Giron in control of the next game.
Giron then comes up to the net again and flicks over a couple of half volleys to leave Murray with an awkward shot. He has to pass the American down the line but doesn’t get the ball over the net. 0-40, three break points.
Murray saves the first one but then double faults! Giron is now a set and a break to the good.
*Andy Murray 3-6 1-1 Marcos Giron
Oh that’s just dismissive. After saving two break points, Giron belts down two aces to hold his own serve from deuce.
Andy Murray 3-6 1-0 Marcos Giron*
Oh that is lovely. A delicate little drop shot puts Murray in control against the serve before he dances over to the right and smokes a passing winner across court to move 0-30 up.
Giron has a powerful serve in his back pocket though and pulls it out for an ace to halt Murray’s momentum. The Scot isn’t too be stopped though.
He test Giron with a few repeated backhands and the Amercian buckles with a forehand into the net. Murray has a couple of break points.
Giron saves the first. Then saves the second with a powerful serve an drop shot follow up. Deuce.
Andy Murray 3-6 1-0 Marcos Giron*
What can Andy Murray muster here? He needs to hold serve first and foremost before working out a way to break Giron and win the second set.
He starts the second set perfectly with a hold to love, utilising his net play very well. Can he now take the attack to Giron?
*Andy Murray 3-6 Marcos Giron
Giron does brilliantly to get Murray stretched over the court before coming forward to roll a forehand over the net to move up to advantage.
He wins the set with a body serve that Murray turns over the back of court!
Andy Murray 3-5 Marcos Giron*
Marcos Giron now has the chance to serve out the first set. He takes the first point before having a dart at a backhand winner down the line which just goes wide.
A timid return from Murray sets Giron up for a powerful forehand but he goes after it too much and sends the ball long. Murray smiles at the end of the next rally as he’s forced onto the back foot. He almost recovers position but a forehand slice doesn’t get over the net. 30-30.
When Murray drills his next return of serve into the net, Giron has a set point. He misses his first serve though and Murray punishes the second to take the game to deuce.
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