Setback for Murray after hammering at hands of former rival
ANDY Murray won only two games in a dispiriting practice match against Novak Djokovic that marked a setback to his Australian Open preparations.
The former world number one is playing at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2017 and a year on from hip surgery, but looked laboured taking on his long-time rival under match conditions on Margaret Court Arena.
Trailing 6-1, 4-1, and having held serve only once, Murray shook hands with Djokovic and his team to bring an end to the contest.
The pair have met four times in finals at Melbourne Park, with Djokovic winning them all, but those memories made this all the harder to watch.
Having played only six tournaments in 2018 and spent large chunks of time focusing on rehabilitation and reconditioning, Murray had hoped to be in better shape for the new season.
He admitted on arrival in Australia that he was still feeling pain but tried to be cautiously optimistic despite losing in the second round of the Brisbane International to Russia’s Daniil
Medvedev.
There was very little to be positive about against Djokovic, however.
The performance has raised question marks about whether Murray will even begin the Australian Open, with his tricky first-round opponent Roberto Bautista Agut known for being one of the most dogged baseline battlers on tour.