WATCH: Andy Murray snubs umpire handshake following Paris Masters loss

| by Jamie Malachy

Andy Murray suffered a disappointing loss in the first round of the Paris Masters this week, as his 2022 season ended in something of a whimper.

The former World No. 1 has endured a frustrating year, struggling to find consistency for any sustained period of time, as he continues his comeback following major hip surgery in early 2019.

"Reality is, I need to work harder" - Murray after crashing out early in Paris
"Reality is, I need to work harder" - Murray after crashing out early in Paris

Murray faded alarmingly quickly towards the end of the match, forfeiting a set and a break to lose in three sets in front of a rapturous French crowd.

The manner of the defeat and the raucous celebrations greeting his collapse appeared to get to Murray, as he briskly shook hands with his French counterpart and opted not to shake the chair umpire's hand.

The three-time Grand Slam champion later revealed that cramping had again been an issue for him from the start of the second set, which further explains his disappointment at the conclusion of a tough loss.

“It was a crazy match,” Simon said. “I was behind the whole match… At 3-4 in the second set I felt a lot of emotions coming. It was difficult to play my service game at that moment and he broke me. He got tight at 5-3 and this time I managed to push, hold my serve and break him again. I tried to push on every game."

"It was really difficult physically, but it was difficult physically on his side," the Frenchman added. "But I thought ‘Come on, I have a chance to beat him.’ It is not like I have the best record against Andy. I really wanted to win this one and I was really happy I was able to do it.”

With this win, Gilles Simon extended his tennis career in front of his home crowd, as this is to be his last professional tournament. He plays in-form American Taylor Fritz next.

"Andy sort of ruined my career so happy for his" - Simon after beating Murray in Paris
"Andy sort of ruined my career so happy for his" - Simon after beating Murray in Paris

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