Andy Murray’s Grand Slam ambitions were brought to an end as he fell to a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 defeat at the hands of world No. 120 Taro Daniel.
Andy Murray’s Grand Slam ambitions were brought to an end as he fell to a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 defeat at the hands of world No. 120 Taro Daniel.
Even though Andy Murray had gotten off to a flying start in the Australian Open with his first game against Nikoloz Basilashvili, whom he had defeated in just five sets, the former world No.1 was stunned beyond words by Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel, who ended Murray’s title pursuit in straight sets at Melbourne on Thursday January 20th, 2022.
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Andy Murray, who is known for his game sharpness, was taken aback by Taro Daniel, a Japanese star who was focused and showed no signs of giving up in the game.
This is the first time Andy Murray has ever lost to an opponent who is outside the top 100 at a grand slam. Arnaud Clement who was ranked No 91, was the lowest defeat Murray had suffered, and it was at the US Open in 2005.
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Taro Daniel remained focused and succeeded in winning the first set, when Andy Murray struggled to clinch the opening set, Taro immediately secured another set as Murray struggled and became openly frustrated.
Andy Murray was called to order for smashing his tennis racket angrily on the tennis court, in his obvious signs of frustration. Taro quickly clinched the second match point and was through to the third round of a grand slam for the first time in his career.
