Cincinnati Masters: Andy Murray out in first round after Lucas Pouille defeat
Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Britain's Andy Murray said he needs to improve by "10 or 15%" to turn defeats like his first-round loss to Lucas Pouille in Cincinnati into victories.
Murray, 31, in his fourth event after nearly a year out with a hip injury, lost 6-1 1-6 6-4 to the 24-year-old.
"He's a top-20 player," Murray said of the Frenchman, who is ranked 17.
"I only lost four more points in the match than him. It was tight. If I can improve by 10 or 15%, you turn a lot of those matches around."
Murray made six double faults on his way to being broken three times in a one-sided first set.
The Scot recovered to force a decider, but Pouille prevailed to secure his first professional victory over Murray in five meetings.
Two weeks ago Murray pulled out of his Washington Open quarter-final after only finishing his last-16 win at 03:02 local time earlier the same day.
Murray also withdrew from last week's Rogers Cup in Toronto to continue his recovery.
The former world number one looked rusty in the opening exchanges, with two double faults in his first service game setting the tone for a poor opening set.
Murray hit back strongly at the start of the second set, breaking Pouille three times and exerting greater authority on his own serve to force a decider.
Both players showed signs of tension in the opening game of the third set, which lasted nearly 12 minutes.
Murray eventually surrendered the break having led 40-15, with the three-time Grand Slam champion evidently frustrated after double-faulting to hand Pouille the initiative.
The Scot remained in the contest and forced a break point in the fourth game of the set after coming out on top of a memorable rally at 15-15.
However, Pouille held on to maintain his advantage and then served out the match comfortably.
Elsewhere in the first round, former world number one Novak Djokovic eventually saw off Steve Johnson, converting his ninth match point for a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win over the American.
Canada's Denis Shapovalov overcame American Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-5 victory to set up a meeting with Britain's Kyle Edmund.
Japan's Kei Nishikori defeated Russia's Andrey Rublev in straight sets, while 13th seed Pablo Carreno Busta beat Richard Gasquet 6-3 2-6 6-3.
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Why be so vile about a man who has done so much for tennis in Britain? Ask any current British player and they absolutely love the guy. He's an inspiration. Also, his off court activities such as his charities prove he is a decent man too. he's a class act! Unlike the cretins who slag him off on here. C'mon Andy!!
Meanwhile the article on Johanna Konta once again tells us that Williams is a mother...
Clearly there is no compassion in that sad vacuous head of yours.. You don't have to like him but give the guy a break. If something struck you down so that you couldn't work for 12 months you'd rightly expect some sympathy.
Bottom line is he faces along hard road back to the very top and he may never get there but he doesn't deserved to be rubbished by trolls like you..
You've had a great career to date and it aint over , go get him Andy !
do you have a sore back carrying that grudge around for 12 years?
yeah, Andy Murray, the famous England hater, who married an Englishwoman, has 2 children who are half English and lives England.
At least you are honest about why you dislike him unlike his other detractors on here.
Comparing Andy's injury to Rafa's, Roger's and Novaks is unfair.
Great reading with my mid-morning coffee. Very funny. Some people really are bitter, aren't they?
If Andy never wins another match in his life he will still be the greatest tennis player ever from these shores , and this comes from a sassenach.
Seriously, I nearly spat coffee all over my laptop! Kyle Edmund, the famous South African professional Yorkshireman who lives in the West Indies for tax purposes. If 'English' tennis is waiting for it's first Mens grand slam winner since 1936, I don't think Kylies the girl for the job. Get a life, AM is British and so is Kyle as you become British not English when you get a passport
Are you high? No one says you can't dislike AM but be honest about your reasons. I'm a Scot and I voted to remain in the UK, so your ill informed comment about AM's fans all being nationalists is bonkers.
Also, I wonder if your name refers to Marat Safin? Surely, King of the Whiners!!
Early days for Andy Murray as he plays his way back to match fitness after a career threatening injury. His game is still top quality as he proved in the second set and its simply a matter of time to build match fitness. Lucas Pouille is no pushover and represented a proper challenge for Murray.
Roger gets more press than Stan in Switzerland and Rafa gets more than PCB. People want to read more about champions.
Don't you just love the hysterical desperation of the trolls.
You give me such a laugh.
He's boring, he's useless, he's washed-up, he's Scottish!
And you... You're jealous.
It doesn't matter if Andy never recovers from his injury. He already made it to the top of his game.
And that fact will irritate the trolls forever.
Keep trolling. Gives me such a laugh.