Hello and welcome to LIVE updates of an ATP tour showdown that seemed highly unlikely back in January. Andy Murray is back on the singles circuit just seven months from staring into the abyss of what seemed like certain retirement. Now ranked world number 324, the Scot meets Frenchman Richard Gasquet in a round one encounter at the Cincinnati Masters that the sporting world will be watching with great interest. Will Muzza mark a fairytale return with a victory? We'll find out very soon as the players get ready to take to court!
A. Murray vs R. Gasquet | Cincinnati
Men's Singles | Round 1 | 12.08.2019 | Center Court
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A. Murray
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R. Gasquet
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Live
Live Updates
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Updated 12/08/2019 at 20:36 GMT
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- Highlights
GAME, SET AND MATCH! - MURRAY 4-6 4-6 GASQUET. Murray thumps down an overhead for 15-30 but is left fuming with himself when he misfires for a chance at double break point. Gasquet recovers and it's all over when Muzza fizzes a crosscourt backhand wide. In the end, the Briton's return to singles action ends in a straight sets defeat after a one hour and 36 minute battle in round one at Cincinnati. There were obvious nerves and clear elements of rust, but the Brit can take heart from some exceptional moments that will have his fans hopeful he can make a significant impact in his bid to return to the higher echelons of tennis. The Scot must now decide whether to compete at the US Open, while Gasquet will turn his attention to a second round meeting with No.4 seed Dominic Thiem.
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MURRAY 4-6 4-5 GASQUET. Murray wrong-foots his opponent with a lovely backhand pass up the line to claim the game to 15 and pose the serve-out question.
MURRAY 4-6 3-5 GASQUET. No dice this time around. Gasquet surges to a love hold and is one game away from victory.
Bewitching.
MURRAY 4-6 3-4 GASQUET. Murray stays in touch. The first serve is landing with more freedom and fluency now and he chucks in a quite wonderful dropshot on his way to a hold to 15 to stay in contention.
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MURRAY 4-6 2-4 GASQUET. Deja vu for Muzza as he produces some splendid tactical tennis to hit back from 40-0 down and apply some heat at deuce. Gasquet's serve misfires with more double faults and you sense that if this was a couple of matches into Murray's singles comeback he would make more of these errors. At present, he can't quite do enough and Gasquet wriggles free once more.
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MURRAY 4-6 2-3 GASQUET. There have been some shockers and some moments of genius from Murray. There are plenty of signs he's still got much to offer near the summit of the sport. He just needs matches to refine and develop much-needed consistency. He's still very much in this set, but so far you have to say Gasquet has definitely had the edge when it matters most.
MURRAY 4-6 1-3 GASQUET. There's a tired demeanour to Murray, but he'll never stop battling. He's left gasping for air after Gasquet ends up owning him in a pulsating 27-shot rally for 40-0. It looks a forlorn task at that juncture, but a forehand winner on the run and a gem of a backhand up the line help the Briton race back and make deuce. It's a brilliant effort, but ultimately in vain as Gasquet fends off a break point after a fourth double fault to come through a tricky service game.
MURRAY 4-6 1-2 GASQUET. Much more like it from Murray. He's finding more rhythm with the serve and crashes down a third ace on his way to a solid hold to 15.
MURRAY 4-6 0-2 GASQUET. It's a sloppy opening for Gasquet and he plays catch-up throughout. The serve goes AWOL to give Murray a look-in at 30-40, but the Frenchman slams the door shut. A crunching crosscourt forehand then has Muzza gasping in despair as Gasquet eventually gets it together to consolidate.
BREAK! - MURRAY 4-6 0-1 GASQUET. That's a real blow for Murray. He makes a sloppy start to Set 2, coughing up a second double fault of the match to offer up triple break point. Gasquet then unloads a forehand to the baseline that is called out. Murray is confused by the call and the words of umpire. Gasquet eventually challenges, with Murray saying 'yeah, it was in.' Sadly for the Scot, he is right too.
SET! - MURRAY 4-6 GASQUET. The Frenchman serves out the opener to love, completely bossing Murray in a lung-bursting, concluding point. It's clearly very early days for Muzza and he is evidently but frustrated, but there are signs of encouragement amidst the errors and sluggishness too.
MURRAY 4-5 GASQUET. That's more like it. Murray conjures up his best service game by some distance, nailing a second ace on his way to a love hold. Gasquet will now serve for the set.
MURRAY 3-5 GASQUET. Too good. Gasquet reels off a trio of drop shots and a thumping forehand winner to back up the break with a simple enough game to 15. Murray is struggling for shot depth at times. The movement looks free enough but he's clearly lacking sharpness in terms of speed and reaction time.
BREAK! - MURRAY 3-4 GASQUET. More trouble on the Murray serve, despite a first ace of the contest. The Brit tickles a tired-looking forehand into the net for 30-40 after some fine defence from Gasquet. The French star then looks to dictate and makes this opportunity count with a scorching crosscourt forehand.
MURRAY 3-3 GASQUET. Muzza gears up for a crack at a crosscourt backhand winner but slaps it into the net, much to his own chagrin. Gasquet runs with the let off and eases to a hold to 15.