AUSTRALIAN OPEN FROM BAD TO WORSE FOR ANDY

After drubbing by Djokovic, Murray is given a tough first-round draw

ANDY MURRAY apologised to a fan for his drubbing in a practice match against Novak Djokovic before the Australian Open yesterday.

And the Olympic champion’s day Down Under got worse when handed a tough first match against world No.23 Roberto Bautista Agut. The Spaniard (celebrating, above) beat world No.1 Djokovic on his way to winning the Qatar Open title last week.

Murray and Djokovic have met in the final of the Australian Open four times and although they are on opposite sides of the draw this year, another re-match is miles away after their public meeting yesterday.

Playing on the main Margaret Court Arena with an umpire and

2,000 fans, the limping

Scot held his serve just once in a 6-1 4-1 thrashing before their allotted hour came to a merciful end.

Murray, who had hip surgery in Melbourne a year ago, has played just two matches since September. On social media, the world No.230 told one fan: “I’m sorry I couldn’t be more entertaining today. Thanks for the support.” Britain’s world No.14 Kyle Edmund, who reached the semis last year but is carrying a knee injury, opens against two-time finalist Tomas Berdych.

The 2016 semi-finalist Jo Konta plays world No.45 Ajla Tomljanovic, who beat her in Brisbane last week. Defending champion Roger Federer, seeking his 100th ATP Tour title, faces Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan. Serena Williams, out to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, plays Germany’s Tatjana Maria.

raided. Cars, a shotgun, credit cards and £151,000 in cash was seized. At least 97 matches from lower-tier Futures and Challenger tournaments were fixed, according to the European Union crime agency Europol.Spaniard Marc Fornell-mestres (right), 36, whose highest singles ranking was 236 in 2007, is accused of being the link between players and the Armenians.