Andy Murray's disappointing season continues with loss at Open 13 Provence in Marseille

[CharlieH]

 

Andy Murray's difficult start to the year continued with defeat in Marseille but Heather Watson earned one of the best wins of her recent career at the Abu Dhabi Open on Tuesday.

Murray lost 7-5 6-4 in another error-strewn showing against world number 66 Tomas Machac at the Open 13 Provence.

He has lost all four of his matches in 2024, including a first-round exit at last month's Australian Open.

Meanwhile, Watson beat Russian ninth seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-3 7-5.

The convincing first-round win was Watson's best in terms of ranking since 2017, with Kudermetova ranked 16th in the world - 140 places above the former British number one.

"I played really well and had a lot of fun out here today," said Watson, who beat 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in qualifying to make the main draw.

"I played a Grand Slam champion in the first round and that gave me a lot of confidence. That really helped. I knew the conditions and felt prepared for today."

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Last month Murray admitted he was in a "terrible moment" but said he "won't quit" in response to an article which questioned when the Scot should retire.

 

BBC SPORT