Andy Murray looks set to miss out on a mouthwatering clash with Novak Djokovic despite play being suspended in his first round match at the Geneva Open. The Scot was trailing 7-5 4-1 against German player Yannick Hanfmann, when heavy rain and wind forced play to be cancelled for the evening.
Serving first, a sublime drop shot in the fourth game indicated that the 37-year-old was on his game after his disappointing showing in Bordeaux last week. And in a tight first set, at 4-4 Murray overcame 0-30 and then deuce to hold.
But he came unstuck in his next service game as Hanfmann upped the ante when it mattered. The world No.59 broke to love, and then held comfortably as he took the first set on the back of winning nine consecutive points.
Murray appeared to have the bulk of the crowd on his side, with one sublime lob in particular sparking rapturous applause. However, he found himself in trouble again early in the second set when faced with three break points at 1-1, saving the first in style after an explosive rally.
But Hanfmann made no mistake with his second chance to take full control of the contest. And at 3-1 down Murray, who was given a wildcard by tournament organisers, was again left facing a break point as his opponent began to dictate the pace.
The 32-year-old duly made it 4-1, albeit in controversial circumstances with a clearly irate Murray forced to serve while light rain fell. Sure enough, just moments later the downpours became heavier and play was suspended.
Some 20 minutes later, organisers confirmed that no further play will be possible this evening. And Murray will return tomorrow facing a mountain to climb in order to make the second round.
But the three-time Grand Slam champion looks almost certain to miss the opportunity to take on Djokovic for the 37th time in his career. And should he fail to launch an unlikely fightback, he is likely to again see his future in the sport come under scrutiny with Murray yet to confirm if he’ll continue in professional tennis beyond this season.
Only this month the former world No.1 revealed he has started trialling a Yonex racket in a bid to prolong his career. He had used Head equipment for his previous 20 years on the circuit.
