Murray Defeated In First Round Of Monte-Carlo Masters

| by Zachary Wimer

Andy Murray couldn't find his rhythm in the first-round match of the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters, losing in straight sets to Alex de Minaur.

The former world no. 1 competed in Monte Carlo for the first time in six years. In his career, the Monte-Carlo Masters was only one of two ATP 1000 events that he never managed to win, and in his first-round match against Alex de Minaur, it became clear why, as Murray couldn't show his A game.

The fourteenth-seeded De Minaur isn't a clay-court specialist and after winning his first title of the season in Acapulco, the Australian struggled in Indian Wells and Miami, losing in his first match at both legs of the Sunshine Double.

But against Murray, he had a lot of chances. De Minaur lost only two points on his serve in the first set while his opponent struggled heavily. Murray faced break points in three of his four service games, and every time De Minaur had a chance to break, he used it.

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After only 35 minutes, the Australian won the first set 6-1 and looked to continue in a dominant style also in the second set. Once again, De Minaur used his first break point and went into a 4-1 lead.

Throughout the match, Murray never had any break point and although the Australian couldn't use two more chances to break that he had in the second set, he comfortably won the match 6-1, 6-3 to advance in Monte Carlo.

Up next, he will be playing against a qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff who defeated Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the first round and De Minaur was really happy after his win in the first round, saying:

"It was never going to be easy. You have so much respect for someone like Andy. For me, it's the biggest adjustment that we have on the tour [playing on clay]. But I feel ready for a good run."

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