ANDY’S OFF THE PACE
Murray laments missed chances
ANDY MURRAY admitted he was lacking big-match sharpness after losing his fifth consecutive match to a top-20 player.
And the former world No.1 said he was considering playing again next week as preparation for the US Open.
The three-time Grand Slam champion failed to take two set points at 5-4 in the opening set before losing 7-6 6-3 to Hubert Hurkacz, the world No.13 from Poland, at the Cincinnati Masters.
Murray, who beat Richard Gasquet in the first round, said he was pain free in his first singles event sinceWimbledon after pulling out of the Olympics with a quad injury.
But the 34-year-old has won only five ATP Tour-level matches in five events this season because of Covid and injuries.
The world No.105 said: “My tennis was better than at Wimbledon. The big thing for me is decision-making in important moments.
“Usually, a few years ago, I would be taking those chances at the end of the first set, for example, and today I didn’t and it will cost you against the guys who are serving big because you don’t get too many opportunities.
“When you’re under pressure in matches, and you haven’t been in those situations much, you’ve got split seconds to make choices and decisions.
“The more matches that you play, it just becomes sort of second nature. I think it’s something that in the last few years Novak [Djokovic], for example, has just been incredible at.”
Double Cincinnati champion Murray, who will now consider seeking a wild card at next week’s WinstonSalem Open, said: “I thought this week was fairly positive. I feel like I can compete with those guys, no question.
“I don’t think that I was not competitive today. I had opportunities. He served unbelievable. At times he served great. So long as my body feels good and physically I have little pain, it’s very motivating for me, because I enjoy playing.”
World No.2 Naomi Osaka, above, recovered from a set and a break down to beat Coco Gauff 4-6 6-3 6-4.
Dominic Thiem will not defend his US Open title after pulling out with the wrist injury he suffered in June.
EMMA RADUCANU has set up a second-round clash with former junior world No.1 Clara Burel after beating Belgian top seed Alison van Uytvanck at the Chicago 125 tournament.
OLYMPIC champion Nelly Korda has the potential to bring new fans to golf the way Tiger Woods did, according to Catriona Matthew.
The American world No.1 will tee up as hot favourite to win the record £630,000 first prize at the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie today. Fourteen out of the past 15 women’s Majors have been claimed by first-time Major winners, including Korda at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June.
But she followed her third LPGA win of the year – and topping the rankings – by taking gold in Tokyo to promise a period of dominance at the top.
Korda comes from a famous sporting family with her father, Petr, the 1998 Australian Open tennis champion, her golfing sister Jessica the world No.14, while younger brother Seb is the tennis world No.45 after reaching the fourth round ofWimbledon.
European Solheim Cup captain Matthew said the 23-year-old golfer’s profile and personality can promote the women’s game. “She’s been very impressive the past few months,” said the 2009 Open champion. Without a doubt, she’s got that potential to be dominant. If she can keep that form going, I don’t see why she couldn’t be dominant.
“It is good for women’s golf to have a dominant player. You saw how Tiger elevated the PGA Tour. If you have someone that becomes dominant, she starts to be known by non-golfers, which then maybe encourages them to come and watch golf.”
Korda, who is coached by Sunderland’s Dave Whelan, will have to cope with a dramatic change in temperature from Tokyo to Angus this week. “It was so hot in Tokyo, and it’s going to be chilly, rainy,” she said after the pro-am yesterday.
British No.1 Charley Hull, who will play the first two rounds with Korda, said: “It’s really good what she’s doing for the game. It’s good to see an American player playing really well.”