Murray suffers straight-sets defeat to Medvedev in Miami

ANDY MURRAY suffered a straight-sets defeat to world No.2 Daniil Medvedev in the second round of the Miami Open.

The Scot had been looking to build on Thursday’s win over Federico Delbonis, but was never presented with a clear opportunity as top seed Medvedev produced a clinical display in a 6-4, 6-2, victory.

Medvedev was very happy with his performance saying: “I think it was a great match. It’s never easy, first-round matches, even if you practise on the same courts for one or two months, it’s never going to be the same as a competitive tournament match.

“So I’m happy that I managed to have zero break points against me. I feel like I have some room for improvement, but it was a great match against an amazing player and I’m happy that I managed to go through.”

The Australian Open runnerup made an early breakthrough against Murray’s serve in the third game of the opening set and did not look like relinquishing control.

With Ivan Lendl watching on from Murray’s box, there was plenty of support for the 34-year-old, who had been given a wildcard entry into a tournament he has won twice. Medvedev, though, continued to dominate on his own serve.

Murray failed to hold in the fifth and seventh games as Medvedev closed in on victory, which was secured on a first matchpoint chance as the Scot hit a backhand return into the net.

“On the days when you serve good, your opponent doesn’t have this freedom to return, it helps you,” Medvedev said. “[In the] second set, the scoreline was easier, it was much tougher in the beginning, but when your opponent knows you’re probably going to get some aces and it’s not going to be easy for him to return, he gets pressure on his serve and many times that is what happens in close matches.

“Every opportunity I had I tried to take it, to go for it. And there were a lot of moments when I was happy about my game.”

There was also disappointment for Britain’s Heather Watson as she was beaten in straight sets by Belinda Bencic. Watson had defeated 20thranked Elina Svitolina in the last round, but the Swiss world No.28 proved too strong as she progressed 6-4, 6-1.

Bencic said: “She’s a very tricky player, I haven’t played her in a long time. She plays with very much control and she tries to bring you out of position, so it was tricky at the start, but I’m happy I found my flow.”