ANDY MURRAY’S dreams of a first ATP title since October 2019 were crushed by the emphatic Aslan Karatsev.
The Brit – who last lifted a singles trophy in Antwerp just months after hip resurfacing surgery – was outplayed throughout by the Russian beast, who roared to a 6-3 6-3 victory.
Murray made a nightmare start in Sydney, dropping his serve in the opening game of the match.
And he could barely land a glove on his opponent throughout the first set.
Down 5-3, Murray threw in his third and fourth double faults to hand over the set.
Another early break in the second gave the former world No1 a mountain to climb.
A crucial game at 3-1 saw him create FIVE break-point opportunities – but Karatsev saved them all and held for 4-1.
From there, 2021 Australian Open semi-finalist Karatsev could not be stopped.
Murray forced him to serve it out.
He double-faulted – and missed by a long way – on his first match point before Murray saved the second with a clean backhand winner.
But eventually, the world No20 did get over the line to secure his third career title.
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