Andy Murray stormed off after struggling a three-set defeat to Benoit Paire within the opening spherical of the Open Sud de France in Montpellier to proceed his disappointing begin to 2024.
Murray, who was despatched packing early on the Australian Open by Tomas Martin Etcheverry, gained the opening set and seemed to be on target for a spot within the second spherical.
However enigmatic Frenchman Paire fought again to land his first High 50 win because the 2022 Australian Open with a 2-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 success on the ATP 250 occasion after two hours and 43 minutes.
Murray’s timing seemed to be again as he claimed a convincing opening set, however world No 112 Paire, who hadn’t gained a match since Washington in 2022, sealed the second in a tense tie-breaker.
There was a controversial second within the seventh recreation of the deciding set when Paire’s dipping return was dominated in a lot to Murray’s disgust with each the road choose and the umpire.
Paire then opened a 5-3 and 40-0 lead when Murray was booed for altering his racket.
The Scot went on to avoid wasting 4 match factors nevertheless it was Paire who ultimately acquired over the road leaving a pissed off Murray to stomp off court docket.
Paire will subsequent play a French wild card – Harold Mayot or Lucas Pouille within the second spherical on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old Murray, who final gained an ATP Tour title in 2019, now holds a 0-3 report for the yr.
Michael Mmoh earned his first tour-level indoor hard-court win, defeating Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 6-3 7-5 to succeed in the second spherical.
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