Andy Murray was unable to succeed in his first ATP Tour quarter-final since February after Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry fought again to win a gruelling contest in Basel.
Murray, 36, recovered from a sluggish begin to win the primary set in 76 minutes.
However the Briton ended up shedding 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-2 to the world quantity 32, who secured victory in over three hours.
In the meantime, Cameron Norrie misplaced 6-2 6-4 in opposition to fifth seed Alexander Zverev in his second-round match in Vienna.
Former world primary Murray has made a behavior this season of being concerned in some marathon matches – and the scrap in opposition to Etcheverry was one other instance.
Having stopped Etcheverry going 3-0 forward, the Scot confirmed all of his trademark tenacity and endurance to maintain his opponent locked in lengthy rallies throughout a decent opening set which may have swung both method.
Murray trailed within the tie-break earlier than making a set level with an excellent crosscourt forehand winner and changing his probability with a deft volley.
After falling a break down early within the second set, Murray was unable to take three break factors as Etcheverry held on in a 16-minute seventh recreation – which proved key in taking the match to a decider.
Virtually two and a half hours had been already on the clock and each gamers wanted time to catch their breath earlier than Murray succumbed to a fourth break level in one other lengthy opening recreation.
Murray continued to stress the 24-year-old Argentine however grew to become more and more exasperated – usually flinging his racquet to the court docket – as he was unable to create any extra probabilities.
Etcheverry rattled off the ultimate three video games and Murray’s fourth loss in 5 matches capped a disappointing evening for the British singles gamers.
Norrie, who’s ranked because the nation’s greatest participant, has struggled for victories in current months and didn’t have sufficient high quality to commonly bother Germany’s Zverev.
The distinction within the high quality of serving was a key issue, with Norrie touchdown solely 54% of first serves whereas 2020 US Open runner-up Zverev was highly effective and correct all through.
A knee harm was one other supply of concern for Norrie. The left-hander requested for a medical timeout when he trailed 4-3 within the second set and British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith may even be hoping it’s not a serious drawback.
Smith, who has named Norrie in his five-man squad for the quarter-final tie in opposition to Serbia in Malaga on 23 November, already faces an anxious wait about the extent of a calf injury suffered by Dan Evans on Tuesday.
In the meantime, Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz says he might be match sufficient to play the Paris Masters and season-ending ATP Finals after a current foot harm.
