FUMING Andy Murray mangled a racket in anger and berated himself with X-rated language as she crashed out of the US Open.
The 2012 singles champion in New York was his own worst enemy as he was defeated 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 by big-serving Italian Matteo Berrettini in the third round at Flushing Meadows.
British icon Andy Murray has crashed out of the US Open in the third round
Italian star Andrea Berrettini prevailed in four sets against Murray
Muzza, 35, has not made the second week of a major since Wimbledon in 2017.
And when he starts doubles-faulting in the key moments, you have to wonder if he will grace the latter rounds ever again.
He certainly did not hide his displeasure when he was broken in the second set, throwing his racket across the court and then smashing it repeatedly while sitting in his chair.
The Scot will now return to the UK to focus on preparations for the Davis Cup group matches against the US, Holland and Kazakhstan in front of home fans in Glasgow.
The former world No.1 arrived in North America in mid-July with the sole aim of winning enough matches to secure a seeding spot in the main draw.
The reason being he would have a kinder route and would avoid having to play someone like Berrettini in the early rounds.
Even though he had to spend lots of time receiving in the midday sunshine, Murray was confident in his own abilities he could handle the most fearsome serve in men’s tennis.
He was sure he could return the missiles that usually rain down at 120mph or quicker.
Murray hasn’t reached the fourth round at a Grand Slam in five years
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Murray won the crucial third set on a tie-break, but lost the match the following set
But it was imperative that his own service game was faultless because getting broken would seriously hamper his chances of remaining competitive against the former Wimbledon finalist.
And his worst fears came true in the seventh game of the first set when a sloppy double fault gifted the break to the Rome-born gladiator.
That proved decisive as Berrettini wrapped up the first set in 46 minutes in their fourth encounter on Tour.
Coach Ivan Lendl, a man of few words, advised Murray to “keep moving him” and he did just that until losing his way in the ninth game of the second set.
Once again a double fault proved Murray’s undoing, handing the No.13 seed the chance to move 2-0 sets ahead on the scoreboard.
It was then that the two-time Wimbledon champion destroyed his racket in a moment of frustration and annoyance.
Berrettini proved to be too good for Murray at Flushing Meadows
Murray has not made the second week of a major since Wimbledon in 2017
There was a delay in the third game of the third set as a fan in the stands fell ill and required medical treatment on the Arthur Ashe stadium.
Murray, described by Berrettini as a “legend of the sport”, managed to win an epic 82-minute third set in the tie-break.
And this gave him and his legion of fans hope that he could maybe turn this round in five sets.
But Murray screamed out “f***ing bull**** as he was unable to take this tie beyond four sets as Berrettini, 26, moved into the Last 32 here for the fourth time in a row.
This is a huge moment for Berrettini – who now plays Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Sunday – in a stop-start season in which he has had hand surgery and missed Wimbledon due to Covid.
Berrettini complained to the umpire about punters moving off their seats while the match was happening, labelling it a “joke”.
He added: “I have had to learn from my mistakes. Andy played a good set in the third.
“It’s normal to get tight on court, it means you care, this is our lives. I told myself to be more brave this time. I am ready for the fight I have ahead of me.”
