Murray beaten in straight sets by Denis Shapovalov

By Paul Lagan at Centre Court at AELTC

Denis Shapovalov v Andy Murray

6-4, 6-2, 6-2

Andy Murray crashed out of Wimbledon in a straight sets loss to big-hitting left-handed Denis Shapovalov on Centre Court, under lights and late into the evening.

Murray, has never lost before the third round in his long career, and that record is still intact.

It’s not a record he is proud to have but under the circumstances, after many months out of the game with a serious hip injury that required surgery, more months of rehabilitation – just getting to Wimbledon this year could be viewed by some as a major victory.

But Shapovalov was not in a generous mood. He took full advantage of Murray’s lack of movement, fluidity and broke the spirit of the two-time Wimbledon champion in ruthless fashion – in much the way Murray, in his pomp did for his adversaries.

Will this be the last of Murray in the main draw in a singles at Wimbledon?

It’s a brace ma§n or woman who asks him that question. Rest assured it’s one that Murray and his team will be gauging in the week and months ahead.

Denis Shapovalov, 22, is the 10th seed. He was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, lives in Nassau, in the Bahamas and flys under the Canadian flag – tennis is a truly international affair.

Murray, 34, well we all know everything there is to know, but now he sets the alarm off when going through metal detectors. Due to his hip surgery.

He slipped on the grass in the third game of the opening set complaining about the surface, and took a timeout to doctor his shoes, presumably to give added traction on the surface.

But it fail3d to improve his tennis and the kid strode with all the arrogance, exuberance of youth  into a 4-1 first set lead, breaking the Scot twice in the process.

Shapovalov held his serve with ease forcing Murray to win his to extend the set.

This he did, and then he broke the Canadian to love make it 5-3.

He then held his own serve to bring the match to 5-4. But would it be a bit too much, too late to save the set?

Murray had three break points on Shapovalov’s serve, each time he failed to kill off the point, and he eventually lost the game and the set 6-4.

Murray needed to start the second set, with high tempo but more importantly, strong first serves. However he provided neither and lost his serve to give the advantage straight away to the Canadian.

When the match I sent going your way, it exposes your weakness so cruelly. At break point against Murray had his opponent literally on the grass. But he got up to prod the ball back over the net. Murray had the simplest of chances to knock it back to save the break – he tapped the ball instead into the net to give Shapovalov a 3-0 lead in the second set.

Murray simply could not find a way of breaking down the speed and strength of Shapovalov. Every shot Murray made, was countered and bettered by his opponent.

It made the crowd realise that they were witnessing the end of his Championships bid, but they were still hoping for a sudden change of fortune.

Murray had break chances in the sixth game, but failed to move up the level required and he ended up serving to save the second set.

That he did, but Shapovalov saw out his serve despite that odd point’s win by Murray to go two sets to love up in an hour and 45 minutes.

This was the ideal time to close the roof. And perhaps the best chance for Murray to reset his game.

After about a 15 minutes hiatus, both players were ready to resume.

If the fans and Murray thought the match would swing his way, they were in for a rude awakening as Shapovalov stung the Murray serve with vicious returns, and perfectly placed drives to the baseline, forcing the Scot into a retreat. Needless to say he lost his serve in the opening game of the third set.

It went from bad to worse as first Shapovalov held his serve and then broke Murray again to go 3-0 up.

The crowd had lost most of their enthusiasm, and the cheers for Murray were weak and forlorn.

Soon it was 4-0 and the end was in sight.

Another loss on his serve, brought up the 5-0 – and the ugly thought of not even winning a game in the set.

He saved a break point, won the game and the crowd breathed a sigh of relief.

But soon it was 5-2 and Shapovalov was serving for the match.

A wonder ace made it 40-15, it was 9:36pm, and after two and 17 minutes, another ace ended Murray’s time in the championships.