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MURRAY MAULED

Australian Open 2017: Andy Murray dumped out by world No 50 Mischa Zverev in huge shock in Melbourne

By John Hutchinson
22nd January 2017, 12:05 pm
Updated: 1st February 2017, 7:21 am

ANDY MURRAY was sent crashing out of the Australian Open by Mischa Zverev in a huge shock in Melbourne.

The Briton came in to odds-on favourite to win the tournament following Novak Djokovic’s shock exit – but the world number one was dealt the same fate by world number 50 Zverev.
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It was a frustrating day at the office for Andy Murray as he was dumped out of the Australian Open

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It was a sad end to his Australian Open experience for Andy Murray as he fell to defeat against Mischa Zverev

Murray went down 5-7, 7-5, 2-6, 4-6 as he looked distinctly out of sorts against his 29-year-old German opponent.

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In a bad day at the office for Murray, his aim appeared wildly off-centre in a disappointing third set when they were tied 1-1.

This followed on into the fifth set, with Murray out-thought, and out-battled by the underdog.
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It was sheer delight for Zverev at the end, as he celebrated the biggest shock so far in this year’s Australian Open

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But for Murray, it was a very frustrating match, with things not going his way at all in a missed opportunity

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Clearly distraught after his defeat, Murray didn’t hang around after Zverev sealed the famous victory, and made a quick exit off the court.

Incredibly, it is the first time Zverev has been passed the second round of a major tournament.

Speaking after his shock exit, Murray said: “He deserved to win, he played great when he was down and in the important moments, whereas I was kind of behind the last two sets the whole way and couldn’t convert the opportunities.
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Andy Murray’s wife Kim watched on the stands as hubby suffered shock exit

“I think he came up with some great shots, there are obviously some shots I could have done better with, but the last game I came up with great returns, he just kept coming up with great shots.

“I don’t know if I returned badly, I thought I returned reasonably well. I definitely could have served better.

“I don’t think I was flat, I was getting myself pumped up, show more positive body language, and I did that at the end of the match, it just wasn’t to be today.

“I’m disappointed right now, but credit to him, he played some great shots and played a great match. He played some really good stuff.”
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There were some kind words exchanged between the two at the end of the match, and this respect continued into the interviews too

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Mischa Zverev was in brilliant form as he caused a huge upset in Melbourne

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Murray refused to say he was low on energy in the post match press conference

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Murray didn’t hang around too long after the defeat, handing the limelight over to Zverev, and justly

Speaking after his superb victory court-side to Jim Courier, Zverev said: “I got excited, the crowd is here, how can you not stay focussed.

“It was easy to stay aggressive, but tough to stay calm. But somehow I made it.

“It means the world to me, my whole family is here, and it’s just amazing.”
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Zverev was simply too good on the day for world number one Murray
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Murray battled hard, but it was that killer third set that did for the Scot

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Murray was as dejected as you would expect in the post match presser – but paid full credit to the victor Zverev

 

Understandably the world of social media reacted in shock to the shock dumping out of the world number one.

On Twitter, Mustapha wrote that it was the “upset of the tournament”, while Andrew Orchard said that it “was not the greatest start as world number one”.

However Chris Goldsmith said that after all Murray’s success he is “allowed an off day”, while others were left hoping it could open the door for legend Roger Federer to take advantage and win the event.

Fabio Zito described the elimination of Djokovic and now Murray as the “fall of the gods”.

Mischa was joined at this year’s tournament in the southern hemispehere by younger brother Alexander, or “Sascha” as he has become known.

And although the 19-year-old fell to defeat in the last 32 of the tournament to Rafael Nadal, it’s been one of huge success for the family.

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