Andy Murray's US Open preparations suffer setback with Citi Open loss to world No. 115

Andy Murray's hard-court preparations for the US Open got off to a disappointing start as he lost to world number 115 Mikael Ymer at the Citi Open. Murray, who appeared to struggle physically at times throughout the game, withdrew from Washington's tournament in the first round despite being heavily supported on the stadium field, particularly when he launched a fightback in the second set where he won five of the last six games. .

Murray currently only has one confirmed event on its schedule - the Montreal Masters - before Flushing Meadows which begins on August 29th. He hoped to use the Citi Open to continue building momentum in the United States ahead of the tournament of the year. fourth and last Grand Slam.

However, the former world No. 1 squandered four set points in an hour and 20-minute first set. At one point he led the tiebreak 6-4 but he eventually lost the first set 7-6(8). He launched a comeback in the second set to the delight of the crowd. He came back from 3-1 to win 6-4 and force a decider.

But fans' hopes were finally dashed in the third, although the world No. 50 at least narrowly spared himself the embarrassment of losing all of the first five games and potentially being bagelled. He broke in the fifth game only to lose his serve the following game via a double fault.

Ymer, 23, beat the Briton three times in the third set and the Swede - who hadn't played on a hard court since February before that - eventually won 7-6, 4-6, 6 -1 in two hours and 50 minutes. He then said, "I'm excited. It was the first day [of American swing], so obviously there's a lot to do, but it's a really good start for American swing."

It was Murray's first game in Washington since 2018. His last in the United States capital saw him break down in tears after beating Marius Copil at 3am, after which he said: " I feel like this is the end for me. I really want to continue, but my body is telling me no."

Murray is now facing new retirement calls, but the two-time Wimbledon champion has brushed off those suggestions before facing Ymer. "There are a lot of people who think maybe I shouldn't be playing," he told The Washington Post.

“But I love tennis and I love competing. And I feel like I can improve from where I am today. don't feel like I can improve or maybe things are going backwards, so maybe that would change where I am.

“I love this sport. That's basically why I'm back and why I wanted to continue: because I love this sport. There are a lot of people who think maybe I shouldn't play ."

Murray had withdrawn from the Atlanta Open ATP 250 after reaching the quarterfinals of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, Rhode Island, where he lost to Alexander Bublik. He swore his grass season had been "a bit up and down", but added: "A bit of progress overall and I'll try to carry it through the summer on the hard court." p>

Murray is eager to avoid injury ahead of the US Open after the 46-time title winner, now 35, suffered a problem which hampered his Wimbledon match. He had a problem while playing at Queen's, then fell in the second round at the All England Club to John Isner.

He will next play in Montreal (August 7-14) but has yet to decide if he will play the Cincinnati Masters - also known as the Western and Southern Open - the following week. He could also play the ATP 250 Winston-Salem Open (August 21-27) to boost his chances of an automatic entry into the US Open draw.

Although Murray lost in Washington, fellow Briton Kyle Edmund beat Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki 6-4, 7-6(8). It was his first victory on the ATP Tour in 29 months after injuries. He will then face another British player, Dan Evans, while Ymer will face the Russian Aslan Karatsev.