Murray loses to Tomas Machac in his final Miami Open appearance

In what marked his final appearance at the Miami Open, Andy Murray delivered a memorable performance on Sunday, despite falling to a 5-7 7-5 7-6(5) defeat to Czech player Tomas Machac in the third round.

In his farewell match at Miami, the 36-year-old showcased these trademark qualities, eliciting thunderous cheers from the packed stands of the Butch Bucholz court. With the match tied at one set apiece and 5-5 in the third, Murray’s hopes seemed dashed when he rolled his left ankle, visibly in agony as he hobbled to his bench. Yet, after receiving treatment from the trainer, Murray defiantly re-strapped his ankle and resumed play.

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The third set escalated to a tie-break, where Murray momentarily held a 5-3 lead. However, Machac, who had previously upset fifth seed Andrey Rublev, staged a comeback to clinch victory. As Murray bid farewell to the court, he acknowledged the crowd one last time, embracing the poignant moment.

Reflecting on his departure, Murray expressed a mix of sadness and gratitude, emphasizing the significance of the Miami Open in his career and the emotional weight of leaving the tournament behind. Despite the disappointment of his exit, Murray remains optimistic, looking forward to spending more time with his family as he approaches retirement.