Injury rules Murray out of Queen’s as Draper stuns Fritz

ANDY MURRAY has been forced to pull out of this week’s cinch Championships at Queen’s Club due to the abdominal injury he suffered in Stuttgart.

The three-time grand slam champion underwent a scan on Monday which showed a strain to his left abdomen.

However, the former world No 1 is hopeful of being able to step up his preparations for Wimbledon next week.

Murray said: “After having a scan this afternoon, an abdominal injury means I won’t be fit to compete at Queen’s this year.

“The tournament means a lot to me, and it’s disappointing not to compete, especially after playing some good matches on the grass already.”

Murray suffered the injury during a three-set defeat by Matteo Berrettini in the final of the Stuttgart Open on Sunday.

British youngster Jack Draper insists he does not fear any opponent after securing the biggest win of his career at Queen’s.

The 20-year-old, who took a set off Novak Djokovic on Centre Court at Wimbledon last year, stunned world No 14 Taylor Fritz 6-3 6-2 to reach the second round.

On the day he broke into the world’s top 100 for the first time, super-confident Draper sealed his first win over a top-20 player with a second-serve ace.

Draper said: “I think it is always something that just goes through my head when I play against anyone - they have two arms, two legs, they are normal human beings so they feel the nerves, they feel the pressure.

“I think at this stage I’m a bit of an underdog going in as well, so I feel like I should have no fear and I should go out and play to win.

“I am not overawed by any person I’m playing against, I try to do my best and see how it goes.”

But there was disappointment for British No 1 Cameron Norrie, last year’s runner-up, who bowed out in three sets to Grigor Dimitrov 6-7 (2) 6-1 6-4.

Harriet Dart, 25, earned her first main draw victory in six attempts at the Rothesay Classic Birmingham on Monday.

Dart, currently ranked 106, showed her confidence on grass with an emphatic 6-2 6-0 victory over world No 61 Camila Osorio, breaking the demoralised Colombian’s serve six times.

Dart’s reward is a clash with former Wimbledon champion Simona Halep in round two.