Andy Murray threatened another miracle on Margaret Court Arena however fell to a four-set defeat versus Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round of the Australian Open.The Scot was back at the scene of his late-night heroics versus Thanasi Kokkinakis, having actually done his finest to recuperate from the five-hour, 45-minute legendary in which he returned from two sets down to claim victory at 4.05 am.Coupled with a near five-hour first-round win versus Matteo Berrettini, Murray had actually spent 10 hours and 34 minutes on court just making it through to the last 32. To begin with it appeared he would provide little resistance however he willed himself into the match and
unbelievably took the 2nd set before Spaniard Bautista Agut claimed a 6-1 6-7(7)6-3 6-4 success after three hours and 29 minutes.Coupled with a loss for Dan Evans to Andrey Rublev previously, that is now completion of the British challenge in singles for another year at Melbourne Park.This was the first time at a
grand slam given that the French Open in 2017, when Murray’s hip issues began, that he has actually been the last British singles gamer standing.The contest also came four years after
he tearfully revealed the level of his hip discomfort and that he was considering retiring ahead of a first-round clash with Bautista Agut in Melbourne.Roberto Bautista Agut commemorates his
victory(Ng Han Guan/AP) After Murray battled back from 2 sets down in a five-set defeat, the competition played a premature video montage of homages from fellow gamers, just for the Scot to firmly insist that he
wanted to be back.For the very first time in six years, he came to Melbourne Park feeling really favorable about his body and his game, and the triumph over Berrettini was most likely his best given that 2017, but the physical toll was enormous.Metronomic, stone-faced Spaniard Bautista Agut was undoubtedly the last player Murray would have wanted to discover when free points were what he required the most.The 35-year-old, who has a stiff gait at the very best of times, appeared like he could have taken advantage of a walking stick as he hobbled around the court. Story continues Andy Murray fought but might not keep his run going (Ng Han Guan/AP)He won simply among the first
15 points before getting on the board in the fourth game and Bautista Agut finished up the opening set in just 29 minutes.Murray was quickly down a break in the second too
at that and, willed on by a crowd featuring plenty of Scottish
saltires, began to make some headway.Unexpectedly, Bautista Agut offered the break back to make it 4-4, and Murray battled grimly to remain on terms, conserving a break point in the 11th video game with
a fantastic backhand pass.Bautista Agut led 5-2 and 6-4 in the tie-break but Murray again would not let go, getting back on level terms and after that forcing two set points, of which he took the second.Murray stood shapely absorbing the adulation of the fans who now completely thought they may be seeing something very unique indeed.But Bautista Agut managed to shut out the sound in the third set, lastly breaking through to lead 5-3, and an early break for Murray in the 4th proved an incorrect dawn.