Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut eradicated Andy Murray from the Australian Open with a 6-1, 6-7 (7), 6-3, 6-4 victory within the third spherical on Saturday.
After a gradual begin, Murray valiantly fought again to attract 1-1 after two units. However the 35-year-old couldn’t stage one other dramatic comeback as Bautista Agut recovered to win the ultimate two units.
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“I really feel like I gave every thing I needed to this occasion,” Murray stated. “So I am pleased with that, and that is in no matter you are doing, all you are able to do.
“You may’t at all times management the result or how effectively you are going to play or the consequence, however you’ll be able to management the trouble you place in, and I put in every thing that I had the final three matches, so I am very proud.
“However I am additionally upset as a result of I put a great deal of work into the start of this 12 months.”
Former World No. 1 Murray was seeking to attain a Grand Slam quarterfinals for the primary time in six years.
The three-time Grand Slam winner beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in a shocking second spherical match which lasted 5 hours, 50 minutes, ending at 4:05 a.m. native time to arrange his tie with world No. 25 Bautista Agut.
Murray additionally impressed in his first spherical victory in opposition to No. 13 seed Matteo Berrettini. He beat the Italian 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (6) in a match lasting 4 hours, 54 minutes.
Throughout his three matches in Melbourne, Murray performed a complete of 14 hours, 26 minutes. Murray stated he was “struggling” along with his decrease again going into the third spherical tie.
“My legs have been really okay, however I used to be combating my decrease again and that was affecting my serve and that was actually the principle factor that I used to be combating at the moment,” he stated.
The consequence means there are not any British rivals left in both Australian Open singles draw after Dan Evans additionally suffered defeat on Saturday.
Evans, 32, exited the match after defeat to Andrey Rublev, the World No. 6 profitable 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.
“There have been some moments earlier than once I really feel there’s alternative to go to semis and even remaining possibly and, ultimately, nothing occurred,” Rublev stated. “So this time, I simply do not wish to even strive to consider alternative or one thing.”
Data from ESPN’s Matt Walsh contributed to this report.