Andy Murray waved goodbye to the large stage at Roland Garros for in all probability the ultimate time after a first-round defeat to Stan Wawrinka on the French Open.
The previous world primary was properly crushed 6-4 6-4 6-2 beneath the lights on Court docket Philippe Chatrier. It was a well-recognized feeling for Murray, whose final three matches on the Paris clay have now led to defeat to his Swiss rival.
The primary was the epic semi-final defeat in 5 brutal units in 2017, a match which in the end proved an excessive amount of for Murray’s hip and virtually compelled him into retirement.
This one was extra just like the second, a straight-sets first-round defeat in 2020, but it surely has in all probability nonetheless nudged Murray one other step nearer to calling it a day.
Murray has, after all, supplied loads of unforgettable late-night drama over time. However sadly, it seems to be as if the properly has lastly run dry.
In equity, the 37-year-old Scot had achieved properly simply to get right here having ruptured ankle ligaments 9 weeks in the past. It meant that the 2 previous warriors, greats of the fashionable recreation, with a mixed age of 76 and simply three authentic hips between them, met for the twenty third time of their illustrious careers.
![Stan Wawrinka triumphed against Andy Murray on clay courts once again after wins in 2016, 2017 and 2020.](https://i0.wp.com/static.independent.co.uk/2024/05/26/22/2154783734.jpg?ssl=1)
Wawrinka is, like Murray, a three-time grand slam winner and was the French Open champion in 2015. Having damaged the Murray serve within the first recreation, the 39-year-old turned the opening set right into a masterclass within the dying artwork of the one-handed backhand.
It was, and doubtless nonetheless is, probably the greatest on the Tour, showcased by one scorching winner down the road which introduced Chatrier to its toes. Wawrinka ought to have clinched the set when he toyed with Murray with a drop shot adopted by a lob, solely to push a straightforward winner lengthy.
However he wrapped it up on the subsequent try as Murray despatched a forehand lengthy and appeared on the sky in disgust.
Murray’s frustration grew when a volley into the online gifted Wawrinka break level for 2-1 within the second, which the Swiss gratefully accepted.
The shoulders slumped a bit of additional with each shot that went broad and each winner that flew simply out of his attain.
The second set went Wawrinka’s means after one other makeable Murray forehand whistled into the online, and the third was frankly a procession, gained with, predictably, a backhand.
So Murray, a preferred runner-up right here in 2016, exited stage left with a lingering wave to loud, appreciative applause.
He nonetheless has the boys’s doubles to play, with Dan Evans, however the British pair must get a really lengthy solution to return to the primary present court docket.
Plus, Murray is entered into Surbiton subsequent week, suggesting that he had not anticipated to be at Roland Garros very lengthy anyway.