Andy Murray crashes out of Shanghai Masters as Brit on disappointing losing streak

Andy Murray crashes out of Shanghai Masters as Brit on disappointing losing streak
Andy Murray suffered his third successive loss as he crashed out in the first round of the Shanghai Masters. Roman Safiullin needed just an hour and 39 minutes to breeze past three-time former champion 6-3 6-2. The Brit previously set his sights on having a strong end to the season but has so far only managed to win one match across the Asian swing.

Murray was hoping to end his time in China on a positive note after going 1-2 across his matches in Zhuhai and Beijing. He had another tough draw in Shanghai after getting Safiullin in the first round with the Russian coming in off the back of reaching his first tour final and cracking the top 50.

And he carried his momentum into the eighth Masters 1000 tournament of the year, breaking Murray in the first game. The Brit had four chances to get back on serve in the very next game but he couldn’t do it and the opening set started to fly by.

There was more frustration for Murray as he failed to put away a volley while serving at 2-4 down with the ball hitting the net cord and falling to his feet. Safiullin wrapped up a mostly impressive set, breaking the world No 40 for a second time to take it 6-3 in 46 minutes.