Andy Murray has confirmed he will not play singles at this year’s US Open.
There were suggestions the three-time Grand Slam winner would play at Flushing Meadows following his return to singles action in Cincinnati.
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However, the Briton revealed after his straight sets defeat to Richard Gasquet that he will not take part at the final major of 2019 as he’s not ready play five-set matches.
Instead, Murray intends to play in both the doubles and mixed doubles, just as he did at Wimbledon last month.
He made his singles return after a seven-month absence as the former world number one shook off a little ring rust against the Frenchman.
The 32-year-old Briton’s first-round showdown against Gasquet at the Western and Southern Open resulted in a 6-4 6-4 reverse, but the outcome was only part of the story, with Murray attempting to revive his career after hip surgery.
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Now pain-free and having returned to competitive action in doubles earlier this year, the Scot started slowly as he struggled to find a first serve and had to contend with Gasquet’s determination to test his mobility at every opportunity.
In the event, Murray lost the match but showed flashes of his best form as he warmed to his task.
The twice Wimbledon and Olympic champion, who feared in January that his career could be over, surrendered his service in the opening game and came within a point of a 3-0 deficit before rallying to lead 3-2.
However, Gasquet tested him to the full, including with a series of drop shots, before taking the first set 6-4.
The second set started in much the same fashion – the Frenchman establishing a 2-0 lead – but Murray repeatedly threatened to break while holding his own service with increasing confidence, before eventually succumbing 6-4 once again.
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Source: TalkSport.com Tennis
