Andy Murray’s dreams of first ATP title since 2019 crushed by brutal Aslan Karatsev at Australian Open warm-up in Sydney

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.

Andy Murray was beaten handily by Aslan Karatsev in the Sydney Tennis Classic finalThe Russian played brilliantly throughout the contest and was too good for the Brit

Murray was cheered on by a legion of Scottish supporters Down Under

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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