Andy Murray suffered a first-round exit on the Paris Masters after dropping to Gilles Simon.
Murray had the higher hand at the beginning of the competition and appeared poised for a simple victory after taking the opening set. However Simon staged a comeback on dwelling soil, rallying from a 5-3 deficit and profitable 4 video games in a row to assert the second set. Simon, who is because of retire after this event, took the ultimate set to maintain his profession alive for at the very least yet one more match, profitable 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Murray broke Simon’s serve within the second recreation earlier than discovering himself down 40-0 in recreation three. He regrouped, spinning a sideline-hugging forehand and saving three break factors to increase his benefit.
Murray served for the primary set at 5-3 however confirmed the primary indicators of being rattled by a vocal dwelling crowd, double-faulting for the third time within the set to permit Simon to interrupt again.
Simon was unable to carry his serve within the subsequent recreation, nevertheless, as he overhit a smash handy Murray the set.
Murray grew more and more annoyed within the second set, hitting his racquet on the bottom when he despatched a forehand into the online with the rating at 1-1. Simon capitalised on the error to interrupt serve however Murray responded instantly to degree the set earlier than pulling forward.
Murray broke Simon’s serve once more to make it 5-3 however was unable to serve out for the match and the momentum started to swing within the Frenchman’s favour. Simon made it 5-5 and went on a 10-point unanswered run to interrupt Murray for a fourth time after which clinch the set to the roar of the Parisian crowd.
The house followers appeared to be getting below Murray’s pores and skin as Simon earned the primary break of the ultimate set to make it 2-1 and what had as soon as appeared like a possible straight-sets victory for Murray developed right into a dogged battle. And by the top, for simply the third time in 19 conferences, Simon prevailed.
In distinction, Cameron Norrie cruised to victory over Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic in Paris. The British No 1 was scientific in a 6-2, 6-4 victory and can subsequent play both Borna Coric or Corentin Moutet.
Norrie has seen his probabilities of qualifying for the ATP Finals finish with a disappointing run because the US Open, however a powerful week in France may nonetheless earn him a spot as an alternate.
