Key events
Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian two-time grand slam finalist, was having a few problems with Yulia Starodubtsewa, a 17-year-old from Ukraine but has just taken the first set 6-4 in the Margaret Court Arena.
Alex De Minaur versus Milos Raonic – Australia v Canada – is on at the Rod Laver Arena and it looks likely to go long. Raonic is a huge server, and that asks an awful lot of the local lad. It goes with serve in the first set: 3-4.
Elsewhere at Melbourne Park:
Here’s the sad story of the day, with more details to follow.
As for Murray, let’s see what else we hear from him today. He’ll be doing a press conference, and we’ll bring you the key quotes. And as for plucky Brits, it’s two defeats from two, with Jodie Burrage losing yesterday. That was only his second opening-round defeat at the Australian Open in 16 years. The five-time finalist, his only other defeat in the first round since 2008 came five years ago in an emotional five-setter against Roberto Bautista Agut after Murray had revealed the extent of his hip problems. That was the night it was widely reported his career was over. It wasn’t. But he’s never been the same player since.
Etcheverry says the first set, all 61 minutes of it was the key. “I saw the clock, a long battle, I know it’s bad for me, and I tried to focus on my game. I want to keep going and improve my game.” He is polite enough to call Murray “a legend”.
Etcheverry beats Murray 6-4 6-2 6-2
The Argentinian was just too good for Murray, whose fitness was not there. It’s five years since it was declared that Murray was finished and would retire. Those questions will be ringing out now.
Preamble
Good morning, g’day etc. It’s the second day in Melbourne Park and we begin our blog with the bad news. Andy Murray is heading out in straight sets to Tomás Martín Etcheverry. The first set was a war, in the usual fashion, but the Argentine has had all his own way since then.