Murray makes early exit in Cincinnati as Pouille prevails

FORMER Wimbledon and US Open champion Andy Murray was beaten 6-1 1-6 6-4 by Lucas Pouille in the first round of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Monday night.
Britain's Andy Murray returns on his way to defeat against Lucas Pouille, of France, in the first round of the Western & Southern Open (Picture: John Minchillo/AP).Britain's Andy Murray returns on his way to defeat against Lucas Pouille, of France, in the first round of the Western & Southern Open (Picture: John Minchillo/AP).
Britain's Andy Murray returns on his way to defeat against Lucas Pouille, of France, in the first round of the Western & Southern Open (Picture: John Minchillo/AP).

Murray, back on court after pulling out of the Citi Open in Washington earlier this month, had won all four previous meetings with the Frenchman, but was below par and too inconsistent against the 16th seed.

Former world No 1 Murray was broken in the first game as Pouille took the opening set in just over 30 minutes.

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Murray hit straight back to level the match after winning the second set 6-1 in convincing style.

He broke Pouille in the first game and never looked back, stepping on o the front foot, finding his range and playing more aggressively.

Pouille was broken for a second time to trail 4-1 and, after Murray comfortably held, the Frenchman lost his serve again in the seventh game to send the match into a decider.

But Murray lost his way again and could not contain the impressive shot-making of Pouille, who dominated the third set to win in an hour and 53 minutes.

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Pouille pounced on Murray’s nervous start to the decider as the Briton double-faulted on the first point before being broken in the opening game.

Pouille moved comfortably into a 2-0 lead and, although Murray held serve in the next, he failed to convert a break point in the fourth game and fell 3-1 behind.

Murray pulled it back to 5-4, having saved match point on his serve as he trailed 5-3, but Pouille held his nerve to hold serve in the 10th game, taking the set 6-4 and sealing a deserved victory.

Current world No 1 Rafael Nadal had earlier been forced to pull out of the Cincinnati Masters.

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The 32-year-old Spaniard, who won the title in 2013, feels he needs a rest following Sunday’s victory at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

“I am very sorry to announce that I won’t be playing in Cincinnati this year,” Nadal wrote on Twitter.

“No other reason than personally taking care of my body and trying to keep as healthy as I feel now.

“I am very thankful to my friend Andre Silva, tournament director of the Cincinnati tournament, who after speaking to him on the phone understood what I said and understands the situation.

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“I am sure the tournament will be a success and I wish him and his team all the best. I am also sad for those amazing fans in Cincy and around who always gave me great support. I am sure I’ll see them next year and I am sorry I won’t be with them this year.”