ANDY MURRAY WAS on the wrong end of the first shock result at the ATP Tour Finals on Monday.
The Scot was beaten in straight sets 6-4 7-5 by David Ferrer, and picked up a groin injury in the process.
The world number three was tipped to do well at the tournament – coming into the event in London on the back of some great form – but looked far from the player that had captured titles in Thailand, Japan and China in recent months.
A series of Ferrer errors gave Murray the edge early on in the first set but a wayward forehand allowed his opponent right back in game four. The home favourite was simply not his usually calm self in front of a nervy crowd and Ferrer’s resilient defence and baseline play did nothing to ease the tension. The Spaniard held for 5-4 and then broke Murray to claim the first set as the latter’s serve crumbled under the pressure.
Murray required prolonged treatment from the trainer after losing the first set and while his movement did not appear to be too hampered in the second, the Scot’s generally reliable first serve was not up to scratch and Ferrer was piled on the pressure by making him move around the court as much as possible.
Nevertheless, Murray did forge ahead 2-0 in the second only for his dogged opponent to remain in touch – a double fault levelling the match at 4-4. The 24-year-old could not finding any rhythm during the final games and though he held his nerve to hold at 5-5, Ferrer increased the tempo and produced two stunning winners to seal the win.
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