BEATEN MURRAY SET TO GIVE EASTBOURNE A MISS
ANDY MURRAY saw his comeback stutter at Queen’s then admitted he may not play again beforeWimbledon.
The former champion at the All England Club went down 6-3 6-3 to big-hitting Italian Matteo Berrettini in the third round of the cinch Championships.
The Scot, who said his niggling groin injury was still troubling him, needs matches to get himself back up to speed.
But instead of playing at the Viking International Tournament at
Eastbourne next week, he is set to hit the practice courts.
Murray, who burst into tears after his first game back when he beat Benoit Paire, said: “Obviously I need to improve.
“There is still a niggle in the groin, and I need to try to get rid of that between now and Wimbledon. I would like to have more matches, but with bubbles it’s tricky. “It’s unlikely I will play at Eastbourne.
“This showed my lack of matches. Against top players you don’t get loads of opportunities. You need to be right on it. I wasn’t. “I played two sets in preparation for this. It’s not much when you haven’t played since March.You need to be on the court with the top players.
“That’s what I’ll try and do in the next 10 days, but I need to manage the groin.”
Murray’s rustiness showed against the world No.9.
Berrettini will now meet British No.1 Dan Evans, who beat Adrian Mannarino 6-4 7-6 to make the quarter-finals for the first time.
With Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper meeting today, it is the first time three Brits have reached an ATP Tour quarter-final since 1996.