Murray loses to Berrettini in Stuttgart

ANDY Murray’s quest for a first ATP Tour title since 2019 goes on after he was beaten by Matteo Berrettini in the final of the Boss Open in Stuttgart yesterday, writes Eleanor Crooks.

More concerning, though, was an apparent left hip problem for which he twice sought treatment in the third set before falling to a 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 defeat against last year’s Wimbledon runner-up.

This has been one of Murray’s best weeks since his hip problems came to the fore in 2017, with the Scot defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios to reach his first grass-court final since he won his second Wimbledon title in 2016.

The hip resurfacing operation Murray underwent in 2019 was to his right side, but he later had a number of troublesome niggles in his pelvic area.

The 35-year-old called the physio to the court after dropping serve to start the deciding set and requested treatment mid-game at 2-4. It appeared Murray might decide to retire, but he fought on until the finish line, which came when Berrettini broke for a second time in the set.

With only two weeks until Wimbledon, and with Murray due to play at Queen’s Club this week, the Scot must hope this is not an issue that will put him back on the sidelines.

Murray said afterwards: “It’s been a incredible week. I really enjoyed it. I’d like to congratulate Matteo on a fantastic week.

“He’s just come back from a surgery and it’s never easy. He played extremely well today and deserved the win. Finally thank you to my team here and my team back home.

“Sorry I couldn’t get over the line today, but there’s been a lot of progress the last few weeks.

“I’m looking forward to what the future has to hold, I’m feeling a lot better about my game.

“Hopefully my body can hold up a little while longer so I can keep playing matches like this.”

Meanwhile, Cheltenham-based Dan Evans beat Jordan Thompson to claim his second Nottingham Open title without dropping a set in an ideal boost to his Wimbledon preparations.

The British number two took a 6-4, 6-4 victory over the Australian.

Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia beat Alison Riske 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 for her first WTA title in the women’s event.