Andy Murray suffered huge test in Cincinnati in former rival Stan Wawrinka to threaten US Open preparation
Andy Murray was placed in Cincinnati's draw as a last-minute entry after several forfeits. The two-time former champion was given one of the qualifying spots and was drawn to face old foe Stan Wawrinka in what will be the 22nd meeting between the two three-time Grand Slam champions. This could sabotage preparations for the British US Open with the risk of another early defeat and fewer matches ahead of the final Major of the year.
Murray narrowly qualified for the Cincinnati Masters draw after several withdrawals, having originally been scheduled to play in the qualifying event. But the good news didn't last long for the former world No. 1, who was set to meet Wawrinka in the first round.
The duo are no strangers, both holding three Grand Slam titles to their name and having faced each other 21 times before, with Wawrinka being one of Murray's former rivals. While fans will be delighted to see another encounter between the two, the former world No. 3 is likely one of the last players Murray would have wanted to face after admitting he needed a deep run ahead of the US Open.
The current world No. 48 is aiming to earn a top seed at the US Open, and after his loss in Washington last week, he said: "It's still possible to do that. I just need to have a good race in Canada or Cincinnati really. It's pretty simple. But having lost in the first round in Montreal, he will have to go further next week to make up some ranking points.
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Murray is yet to win a match in the North American hard-court swing, suffering a surprise first-round loss to Mikael Ymer in Washington last week before facing No. 10 seed Taylor Fritz to Montreal. The recent Wimbledon quarter-finalist needed just 87 minutes to defeat the Briton 6-1 6-3.
He is now hoping to secure a well-deserved victory before the US Open against another former champion from Flushing Meadows. Wawrinka has only just returned to the tour after undergoing double foot surgery last year, but the Swiss star won his last encounter at the 2020 French Open.
DON'T MISSNick Kyrgios will face more difficulties in Cincinnati as he learns of the fateDjokovic's US Open ban has been criticized as Federer or Nadal would agreeNick Kyrgios gives chilling interview after loss by Hubert Hurkacz
Andy Murray was placed in Cincinnati's draw as a last-minute entry after several forfeits. The two-time former champion was given one of the qualifying spots and was drawn to face old foe Stan Wawrinka in what will be the 22nd meeting between the two three-time Grand Slam champions. This could sabotage preparations for the British US Open with the risk of another early defeat and fewer matches ahead of the final Major of the year.
Murray narrowly qualified for the Cincinnati Masters draw after several withdrawals, having originally been scheduled to play in the qualifying event. But the good news didn't last long for the former world No. 1, who was set to meet Wawrinka in the first round.
The duo are no strangers, both holding three Grand Slam titles to their name and having faced each other 21 times before, with Wawrinka being one of Murray's former rivals. While fans will be delighted to see another encounter between the two, the former world No. 3 is likely one of the last players Murray would have wanted to face after admitting he needed a deep run ahead of the US Open.
The current world No. 48 is aiming to earn a top seed at the US Open, and after his loss in Washington last week, he said: "It's still possible to do that. I just need to have a good race in Canada or Cincinnati really. It's pretty simple. But having lost in the first round in Montreal, he will have to go further next week to make up some ranking points.
JUST IN: Nick Kyrgios gives US Open lead over Nadal as Montreal loss is minimized
Murray is yet to win a match in the North American hard-court swing, suffering a surprise first-round loss to Mikael Ymer in Washington last week before facing No. 10 seed Taylor Fritz to Montreal. The recent Wimbledon quarter-finalist needed just 87 minutes to defeat the Briton 6-1 6-3.
He is now hoping to secure a well-deserved victory before the US Open against another former champion from Flushing Meadows. Wawrinka has only just returned to the tour after undergoing double foot surgery last year, but the Swiss star won his last encounter at the 2020 French Open.
DON'T MISSNick Kyrgios will face more difficulties in Cincinnati as he learns of the fateDjokovic's US Open ban has been criticized as Federer or Nadal would agreeNick Kyrgios gives chilling interview after loss by Hubert Hurkacz
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