Andy Murray laments 'awful feeling' as poor run of form continues with Ugo Humbert loss in Dubai

ByJames Walker-Roberts

Updated 28/02/2024 at 18:04 GMT

Former world No. 1 Andy Murray was beaten 6-2 6-4 by fifth seed Ugo Humbert at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Humbert won 16 of 17 service points in the opening set and continued to look the better player in the second set. After the match, Murray said "he is likely to retire from tennis after this summer." Daniil Medvedev overcame a scare to beat Lorenzo Sonego.

Andy Murray was outclassed by Ugo Humbert as he lost in straight sets in the last 16 of the Dubai Tennis Championships, while Daniil Medvedev came from a set down to beat Lorenzo Sonego.

Former world No. 1 Murray was broken three times and won just seven points on Humbert's serve as he lost 6-2 6-4.

The defeat is Murray’s sixth from eight matches this season.

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He is expected to head to Indian Wells next week, where he could be playing for the last time after admitting he is likely to retire from tennis after this summer.

Murray spoke ahead of facing Humbert about wanting to play at the Paris Olympics this summer, but a third singles gold medal looks an unlikely prospect given his declining form this season.

Murray was soon behind against Humbert, who successfully challenged on game point after an ace was incorrectly called in and then broke serve for a 2-1 lead.

Highlights: Murray crashes out to Humbert in Dubai

Humbert followed with a love hold and then broke again to move further ahead.

Another love hold put the fifth seed in command as he mixed drop shots and penetrating groundstrokes to pull Murray all around the court.

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Humbert wrapped up the set in 44 minutes after dropping just one point on serve.

Murray couldn’t flip the switch in the second set and hit the umpire’s chair with his racquet in frustration after a netted forehand saw Humbert break in the third game.

Murray could also be heard saying "I don't have a clue what I'm doing...awful feeling, horrific" as he continued to struggle to make any inroads on Humbert's serve.

Murray did force Humbert to serve out the match, but the fifth seed had no trouble with that as he fired down another love hold to book his place in the next round.

Medvedev repels Sonego challenge to progress

Defending champion Medvedev overcame a scare to reach the quarter-finals with a 3-6 6-3 6-3 victory against Lorenzo Sonego.

Sonego started with great intensity as he served the opening game to love before going on to break Medvedev.

The Italian raced into a 3-0 lead, and did not drop a point in his opening two service games.

Medvedev frequently stared at his box for answers but they weren’t forthcoming as Sonego went 5-2 up to move within a game of winning the first set.

Medvedev saved six set points before holding his serve to spark hopes of a comeback, only for Sonego - at the ninth time of asking - to get over the line in the next game to take a one set lead.

Sonego lost some of the fluidity in the second set which had caught Medvedev so unaware in the first.

The Russian took advantage of his opponent’s lapse to break for 5-3, before serving out to force a decider.

Sonego’s aggression returned at the start of the final set, but Medvedev made the first break to go 3-2 ahead.

From here, the 2021 US Open champion showed his class to keep his nose in front and see out the match.

Medvedev brought up match point with a stunning cross-court passing winner on Sonego’s serve, before the Italian’s hearty fight came to an end when he hit long.

Reflecting on his slow start, Medvedev said: "I didn't play good in the beginning.

"Too nervous, too tired, which doesn't happen often to me. Sometimes it takes a set to calm down."

Medvedev will play Alejandro Davidovich Fokina next after he progressed due to Jakub Mensik retiring injured during their last 16 tie.

Elsewhere, Jiri Lehecka came from a set down - and saved five match points in the second - to beat Karen Khachanov in an epic match.

Lehecka sealed his win just three minutes short of the three hour mark.

The next tie on Court 1 could not have been more different, with Sebastian Korda seeing off Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-1 6-0 in just 45 minutes.

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