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 3-5 Marcos Giron*
After a slight break Murray strides back onto court with renewed purpose. A sharp serve down the centre line gives him the opening point of the game before Giron errs by pinging a backhand into the tape of the net.
Another brilliant serve puts Murray within a point of holding his serve which he secures with a clipped forehand across court. Hold to love.
*Andy Murray 2-5 Marcos Giron
Giron is full of confidence now and takes the next point with a wide serve to the backhand. Murray then drills a return into the net to slip 30-0 behind before pumping a forehand over the back.
The Scot is struggling at the minute. Giron holds his serve to love.
Andy Murray 2-4 Marcos Giron* - BREAK!
What a shot from Giron! This is an opportunity for the American who pulls a forehand into the back corner and gets the ball to land on the baseline.
He move 15-40 ahead and has a couple of chances to break Murray...
... he only needs one! Murray comes up to the net for a drop shot and waits as Giron whips it back. Murray’s volley finds the net and the American takes the lead in the first set.
*Andy Murray 2-3 Marcos Giron
A cross court backhand from Giron goes wide to give Murray another point. The Scot looks to command the centre of court and dictate play.
He’s not allowed to have everything his own way though as Giron fizzes down back-to-back aces. Actually, make that three in a row. That’s fantastic stuff from the American.
When Murray does manage to get back a return Giron’s forehand finds the net. Needing to win the next rally to keep the game going, Murray strokes a backhand too long and Giron has his hold.
Andy Murray 2-2 Marcos Giron*
Oh yes! An inside-out forehand from Murray is dispatched to the baseline which brings him the first point of the next game. He continues to target the deeper parts of the court and comes forward to meet a volley only for Giron’s return to land in the net.
The Scot’s serve is starting to click and he’s getting through points and rallies quickly behind his first serve. A hold to 15 is won with a drop shot and Murray is back level.
*Andy Murray 1-2 Marcos Giron
Murray has a break point! But, he can’t take it. A wide serve to Murray’s backhand sets up Giron for a powerful forehand after the ball is returned. Murray is on his heels and gives it up. Deuce.
From deuce, Giron fizzes an ace down the centre line before another rapid serve sees Murray punt his return too long. Giron holds again.
Andy Murray 1-1 Marcos Giron*
Better from Murray. He’s starting to find his feet and get used to the feel of the court. He’s comes forward and works Giron arround the baseline with some powerful forehand shots.
The American loops a defensive return into the air and Murray smashes back a winner. Giron’s response is good though and in no time he’s back level at 30-30 after a couple of Murray errors.
Andy Murray 1-1 Marcos Giron*
Hold for Murray! He’s forced to work hard for it but draws level in the match after Giron belts a return into the net.
*Andy Murray 0-1 Marcos Giron
Murray didn’t have the best outings at the French Open but will be hoping for better results on grass courts. The ball is certainly skipping off this surface more.
Murray makes a couple of errors during his first service game to put Giron 0-30 up but a nice wide serve brings him his first points. He follows up with a serve to Giron’s backhand and the American scuffs his return wide. 30-30.
Both men trade points again to bring the game to deuce and it’s a let off for Murray who manages to save a break point. The Scot is pushed back after a blistering forehand from Giron who plays a drop shot next up to move to advantage.
Murray then goes on the attack and comes up to the net forcing a wide backhand out of his opponent. Giron thinks his nailed the shot but it just lands out of play.
Back to deuce.
Emma Raducanu wins in straight sets against Ena Shibahara
Emma Raducanu said on court after her victory: “It’s been quite a few weeks since I last played a competitive match so I didn’t really know how it would go. I think my intentions were great from the start.
“I think I played a really good match. At the end I think inevitably if you’re 6-1 5-1 up something probably could go wrong. I was trying to not let it get to my head and just preparing and fighting for each point. I knew that even though I lost three games in a row I still had a chance to win the match.
“I’m very pleased with how I dealt with the circumstances today.
“It’s amazing to be playing on home turf, it’s been so long since I last played in the UK. To come here and feel like everyone is really behind me is really nice. I’m cherishing every moment of that too.”
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