MONTREAL: Andy Murray saw his bid for a third straight ATP Masters title in Canada crushed by Kevin Anderson on Tuesday as the South African defeated Britain’s world number four 6-3, 6-1 in a second-round match.
Murray, winner of the last two editions of the event that alternates between Montreal and Toronto, was bundled out in 69 minutes.
Murray was playing his first competitive match since leading Great Britain to an emotional Davis Cup win over Luxembourg on July 10 in his native Scotland. Murray had had a first round bye courtesy of his seeding while Anderson – ranked 35 in the world – had breezed through against Spaniard Pablo Andujar in the first round.
Although Anderson served just five aces, Murray’s lack of recent competition showed as he started flat and was broken four times to start his US Open build-up on the worst possible note. Murray’s previous worst defeat in Canada was a 2007 Montreal loss to Italian Fabio Fognini in the second round after winning a first-round encounter. (Agencies)
