Andy Murray lost yet again, and this time it was a really disappointing loss, as he lost to Marin Cilic at the 2024 Kooyong Classic.
The Croatian is a very good and experienced player, however, he spent the vast majority of the 2023 season sidelined. After an early injury setback, Cilic played one match in Umag, which was a losing effort, and then didn't return until 2024.
His first match of the new ATP season was a painful three-set defeat to Jan Lennard Struff at the 2024 Hong Kong Open, in which he had incredible nine match points just to lose the match 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-7(7).
Therefore, he was a perfect opponent for Murray, who lost his first match of the season to Grigor Dimitrov in Brisbane, who then went on to win the title at the ATP 250 tournament.
Murray and Cilic met at the 2024 Kooyong Classic, which gives players a great opportunity to prepare for the first Grand Slam of the season, not far from the Melbourne Park.
The Brit was certainly hopeful of a good showing, but his opponent was much better in the first set, as Cilic lost only five points on his serve, while also breaking the former world no. 1's serve, to win the opening set 6-3.
The second set proved to be much more competitive, but one thing did not change. Murray didn't have a single break point during the match, as he couldn't cause any issues on his opponent's serve.
Therefore, it was all about waiting for his chances on return for Cilic, and he did that perfectly, finding a break also in the second set to win the match in two simple sets 6-3, 7-5.
While the match will certainly help with Cilic's confidence, Murray will head into the 2024 Australian Open, knowing he lost already four consecutive matches. But he will still get a chance to change that, as he's set to play Dominic Thiem at the same exhibition event on Thursday.
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