November 02, (THEWILL) – After failing to convert seven match points in a three-set loss against Dominik Koepfer in the first round of the Paris Masters on Monday, Andy Murray said that he “didn’t deserve to win”
The three-time Grand Slam champion, who is now ranked 144 in the world, got off to a sluggish start but gradually gained control of the match, eventually serving for it at one set all. He went on to lose 6-4, 5-7, and 7-6. (9).
At 5-4 in the third, the 34-year-old had two match points and then another five in the tie-break looking to take the set. But, Koepfer, a late replacement for Jenson Brooksby, capitalised on his first match-point opportunity to take victory and earn a rematch either Felix Auger Aliassime or Gianluca Mager in the second round.
When asked about the loss after the match, Murray indicated he did not think he deserved to win despite the seven match points.
“I am very disappointed just now. It is probably not one of my most painful (defeats),” said Murray. “It’s the first round of the tournament and I didn’t deserve to win the match. I didn’t play well enough to win. That’s the thing i am most disappointed with, the way I played tonight.
“I did really well to get myself in the position to win the match but I don’t think I deserved to win to be honest. I had a ton of opportunities in the end to do it but the way I was playing tonight was not good enough.”
Murray has had a number of significant victories in recent weeks. His victory over Herbert Hurkacz at the Vienna Open was his first over a top-10 player since his victory over Alexander Zverev in Cincinnati in August 2020.
Although he would later lose against Carlos Alcaraz, a budding talent, Murray insisted that it was just a matter of time before he pulled together a winning streak sayingT to reporters after that defeat: “I’m not going to keep losing in the second and third round of tournaments.
“I will get better and I will improve and I will break through in one week, or two weeks, or a few months. It will happen. I obviously would like it to be happening quicker than what it is.”
“But he (Alcaraz) did play extremely well and he’s a top young player and if you’re hitting single-digit unforced errors playing that way and with the power that he has it’s going to be tough…
“If I continue on that path and build up a little bit more consistency, be that little bit more clinical and a bit more ruthless I will start winning more and have some deep runs, but it’s tough.
“Draws have been hard, I’ve played in some tough tournaments. The draw was stacked here [in Vienna]. There were no easy matches here. It will happen sooner rather than later I think.”
Murray’s 2021 season will come to a close at the Stockholm Open next week.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
