Deep runs at Grand Slams may be out of reach, admits Andy Murray

NEW YORK – Andy Murray knows time is no longer on his side, as the 36-year-old conceded that another deep run at a Grand Slam may not be within his reach after exiting the US Open on Thursday.

The 2012 champion put up a tough fight against 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov but rapidly lost energy and appeared to have little left in the tank as he lost the second-round match 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 with a double fault.

“It’s obviously disappointing, to not play like how you would like,” said the Scot, who hit 45 unforced errors and just 16 winners. “I fought hard enough, but just didn’t play well enough.

“Maybe I need to accept that, these events... I had the deep runs and everything that I felt like I’m capable of, they might not be there, as well.”

The former world No. 1 has not gone past the last 32 at a Slam in six years, last reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2017.

A three-time Grand Slam winner and eight-time runner-up, he nearly retired in 2019 due to a hip issue and surgeries but played some of his best tennis in years this season.

He reached the Doha final in February and proudly noted after his opening win at Flushing Meadows that he was at his highest ranking – 37th – since having a metal hip put in.

But in this campaign, he reached only the third round of the Australian Open and exited Wimbledon in the second, while he did not play at the French Open.

“I still enjoy everything that goes into playing at a high level. I enjoy the work,” Murray added.

“I’m aware it’s unbelievably challenging to play at the highest level as I am now, some days it’s harder than others.

“But the training and trying to improve and trying to get better, I do still enjoy that. That’s what keeps me going.”

Dimitrov, who saved three match points in the opening round, goes on to face 2020 runner-up Alexander Zverev of Germany for a place in the last 16.

“I was expecting five sets in a way, so I was constantly trying to remind myself I was here for the long haul,” said the Bulgarian, who won a 63-minute first set to take charge against Murray.

“We’ve played multiple times, he’s a tremendous competitor. I’m very happy with the fight.”

The 32-year-old, once ranked third at his peak, reached the US Open semi-finals in 2019 but had fallen in the second round in each of his past three trips.

“I had great memories in 2019. I would love to repeat that and why not go further?” he added.

Meanwhile, two of the favourites, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev, moved quietly into the third round on Thursday.

Alcaraz clinched a 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) win over Lloyd Harris but the match also revealed a lack of sharpness which the Spaniard will need to rectify if he is to retain his US Open crown.

“I think I played a great match from the beginning to the last ball,” said the 20-year-old.

“But I had to forget that break (in the third set). I did such a bad game. I had to forget it and focus. To be able to win in straight sets is really important to me in the first rounds.”

Alcaraz, who will lose the world No. 1 ranking to Novak Djokovic after the tournament, plays Britain’s 26th seed Dan Evans in the last 32.

Medvedev survived a late night fright before taming Australia’s Christopher O’Connell 6-2, 6-2, 6-7 (6-8), 6-2.

“Tough match,” said the Russian, who will next face Argentina’s Sebastian Baez. “I don’t know why but one moment in the match he decided to play much better. I don’t know what was the reason, but it became much tougher for me.” REUTERS, AFP