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Tim Henman has advised Andy Murray to consider his situation and make the right decision following another failure! A three-time Major champion Murray experienced a massive blow at the Australian Open on Monday. A five-time beaten finalist at Melbourne Park suffered a heavy 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 loss to the 30th seed Tomas Etcheverry in two hours and 23 minutes at Kia Arena.
Murray lost the 2016 Australian Open final to Novak Djokovic, and his journey Down Under has been a disaster since 2017. Andy has won six matches in Melbourne in the previous eight campaigns, skipping three tournaments due to injuries and never reaching the quarter-final.
The encounter against Etcheverry might be Murray's last at the Australian Open, having to consider his next steps with his team and family. Henman admitted it was painful to watch Andy looking lost on the court, and the player revealed he did not know how to turn the tables and become more competitive, worrying only about how to stay calm on the court.
Tim Henman backs Andy Murray to seek a solution.
Etcheverry played at a high level, firing almost 40 winners and keeping the pressure on the other side after losing serve once. Murray stayed competitive only in the opener, struggling behind the second serve and losing serve six times from 14 chances given to a better-ranked player.
Tomas played aggressive tennis, keeping the points on his racquet and overpowering Andy in the quickest exchanges up to four strokes. Murray and Etcheverry traded breaks early in the opener, and the Briton had more chances to move in front.
The Argentine stayed focused in the fourth game and erased a break point at 2-3 with a forehand winner, remaining on the positive side. Tomas painted a perfect lob winner in the seventh game for three break chances, seizing the last after Andy's wayward forehand and moving in front.
Etcheverry claimed the opener with an ace in game ten, moving 6-4 in front after 61 minutes and gathering a boost. Andy struggled on serve at 1-1 in the second set, netting a forehand and experiencing a break.
Tomas grabbed the fourth game with a forehand winner and opened a 4-2 lead with an ace in game six.
The Briton played a loose volley at the net in the seventh game, losing serve again and pushing the Argentine 5-2 in front. Etcheverry held at love with an ace a few minutes later, wrapping up the set 6-2 and moving closer to the finish line.
Tomas kept everything under control in the third set, serving well and delivering two breaks. Murray held for 2-1 before experiencing issues in game five. Etcheverry earned a break chance with a drop shot winner and seized it after Murray's volley error.
Tomas clinched the sixth game with a service winner after deuce and pushed strong on the return in the next one. The Argentine landed a forehand down the line winner at the net in the seventh game, providing a break and serving for the victory at 5-2.
Etcheverry held at 15 in game eight, celebrating a notable victory and sending Murray home. "It was a painful match, with Andy looking lost on and off the court. It was tough to listen to him after the match, sounding so down and with little explanation for such a tough defeat.
He should enjoy himself at 36 and grab rewards after everything he has done in the gym and practice court. Andy has to analyze his situation and decide what to do next," Tim Henman said.