MIAMI – Andy Murray exited the Miami Open for the final time on March 24 and in characteristic style he did so with a performance full of grit and skill but also plenty of passion.

The emotion of the game itself, a missed chance for a third straight win in a tournament for the first time in over a year, was enhanced by Murray knowing this week was his final appearance in a city he calls his “tennis home”.

The two-time Miami winner, who will be 37 in May, lost out in a thrilling third set tiebreak to Czech Tomas Machac, managing to battle on after receiving treatment for an ankle injury.

The Scotsman saved a match point before forcing a tiebreak, which he led 5-3 before Machac delivered some killer blows to win 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5).

It had been three hours and 28 minutes of enthralling tennis, arguably the most entertaining of the tournament so far, albeit strangely on the third level, Butch Buchholz court.

“Obviously a disappointing finish for me but brilliant crowd, brilliant atmosphere, very tight match. I was obviously a couple of points away from finishing it and to be fair to him he came out with some big shots, played high-risk tennis and that paid off for him today,” said Murray.

Murray’s injury, late in the third set, saw him hop off the court in agony with what at first looked to be a possible Achilles tendon injury but later turned out to be merely a very painful ankle sprain.

But having come through major hip surgery to extend his career, Murray was able to appreciate the value of his performance and his earlier round wins over Italian Matteo Berrettini and Argentinian Tomas Etcheverry.

“It’s been pretty positive, there were some good signs in my game, definitely an improvement on the last few tournaments, not perfect but considering everything to be winning matches against the players I did and pushing Tomas like I did today, I’m proud of myself because it’s extremely difficult to do what I’m doing with the issue that I have,” he said.

“To still be able to compete with these guys is a credit to myself and the work that I’ve done and the effort that I’ve put into this to keep myself in this position.”

Murray has for years done the bulk of his off-season training in Miami and said he has developed a genuine fondness for the area.

“Miami has been a special place for me during my career. It’s been my tennis home, really. I’ve done so much of my work and training and preparation here. I love the city,” he said.

Before leaving the court, he showed his appreciation to a crowd that had willed him on.

“The support was brilliant,” he said. “So was a bit more emotional leaving the court today than I might be at some of the other events.”

Handling farewells is something that Murray knows will await him throughout the rest of the season as he heads towards his expected retirement later in 2024.

“I’m looking forward to the end now and just give my best the next few months and then get to be at home with my family and I’m looking forward to that,” he said.

Also displaying a gritty attitude in Miami was second seed Jannik Sinner, who pulled off a great escape by coming back from the brink with a 5-7, 7-5, 6-1 win over Tallon Griekspoor on March 24 to move into the last 16.

Big-hitting Dutchman Griekspoor took the opening set and was serving for a 6-5 lead in the second.

But the 22-year-old Italian, displaying some of the steel that has made him a Grand Slam champion, came through in the clutch by securing his first break of the match when he needed it most to go up 6-5 and then held serve to level the contest.

After flirting with danger, he took command by breaking the 26th-ranked Griekspoor at the first opportunity in the third set and broke a second time to go 5-1 ahead before serving out the match with a forehand winner into an open court.

“I think even the first set was really close, but it went away. Mentally I tried to stay strong, which I did, and I was in a tough situation today. It’s been a tough day for me, but very happy about the result,” said the world No. 3, who will next play Chris O’Connell.

There was no escape for sixth-seeded Dane Holger Rune who was swept aside 6-1, 6-1 by Fabian Marozsan in 59 minutes.

The 57th-ranked Hungarian, known for one of the best drop shots in the game, struck 24 winners and converted all five of his break opportunities, while Rune was 0-3 on his chances.

Dangerman Marozsan is quickly developing a reputation as a giant killer, having in 2023 knocked off world No. 2 Alcaraz in the third round of the Rome Masters, which was widely rated as the upset of the year.

The 24-year-old also took down eighth seed Casper Ruud at the Shanghai Masters, reaching at least the last 16 in all three Masters 1000 events he has played.

Blocking Marozsan's path to the fourth round is Australian Alexei Popyrin, who advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Czech Jiri Lehecka.

“It is a great feeling to play at the highest level. I try to play my best tennis and today against a top 10 player and I am enjoying my time here,” Marozsan said.

Reigning champion Daniil Medvedev beat Britain’s Cameron Norrie 7-5, 6-1 and will face Germany’s Dominik Koepfer next. AFP, REUTERS