Andy Murray crashes out of Brisbane in first match of 2024 with Grigor Dimitrov defeat
Andy Murray started the year with another crushing defeat as he crashed out of the Brisbane International to Grigor Dimitrov. The Brit led the second seed by a set before the match ran away from him, with Dimitrov bouncing back to win 4-6 7-5 6-2.
Murray and Dimitrov faced off for the 13th time to start their seasons after contrasting ends to 2023. The Bulgarian enjoyed a resurgence that saw him reach the Paris Masters final and return to the world’s top 15 while Murray’s trip to Paris-Bercy was a very different one.
The 36-year-old suffered a heartbreaking loss to Alex de Minaur as he blew match points and crashed out in the first round before facing injury setbacks over the off-season. The former world No 1 looked to get off on a better note in Brisbane as nothing was separating him from Dimitrov in the opening set.
With the second seed serving to stay in it, he threw in three uncharacteristic errors to give Murray the first break point of the game, also a set point. A fourth mistake handed the world No 42 the opener 6-4 after 43 minutes. It was Murray’s turn to face break points towards the end of the second set, saving the first with an ace before Dimitrov pounced to lead 5-4.
