Andy Murray suffers early exit to Benoit Paire at Open Sud de France in Montpellier | Tennis News
Andy Murray stormed off after suffering a three-set defeat to Benoit Paire in the opening round of the Open Sud de France in Montpellier to continue his disappointing start to 2024.
Murray, who was sent packing early at the Australian Open by Tomas Martin Etcheverry, won the opening set and appeared to be on course for a spot in the second round.
But enigmatic Frenchman Paire fought back to land his first Top 50 win since the 2022 Australian Open with a 2-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 success at the ATP 250 event after two hours and 43 minutes.
Murray’s timing appeared to be back as he claimed a convincing opening set, but world No 112 Paire, who hadn’t won a match since Washington in 2022, sealed the second in a tense tie-breaker.
There was a controversial moment in the seventh game of the deciding set when Paire’s dipping return was ruled in much to Murray’s disgust with both the line judge and the umpire.
Paire then opened a 5-3 and 40-0 lead when Murray was booed for changing his racket.
The Scot went on to save four match points but it was Paire who eventually got over the line leaving a frustrated Murray to stomp off court.
Paire will next play a French wild card – Harold Mayot or Lucas Pouille in the second round on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old Murray, who last won an ATP Tour title in 2019, now holds a 0-3 record for the year.
Murray vs Paire: Tale of the Tape
Michael Mmoh earned his first tour-level indoor hard-court win, defeating Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 6-3 7-5 to reach the second round.
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