Murray ends season after loss to Verdasco

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Andy Murray decided to end his season after his revival at the Shenzhen Open was halted in straight sets by a familiar foe, Fernando Verdasco, in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Murray enjoyed the best win of his comeback by beating David Goffin on Thursday. But he was well beaten 6-4 6-4 by the Spanish veteran Verdasco, the fifth seed, who was too solid and occasionally spectacular, cracking 11 aces and 38 winners in his one hour and 40-minute win.

Fernando Verdasco in action during the quarter-final match with Andy Murray (not pictured) of the Shenzhen Open, Shenzhen, China, September 28, 2018. /VCG Photo

Friday's result was a repeat of the Verdasco's straight sets victory over Murray in the second round of the US Open in August. The two wins came after Verdasco had previously suffered eight consecutive defeats to the Scot stretching back nine years.

Britain's former world number one had hip surgery in January and suffered a slight ankle problem.

Now down to 311 in the world rankings, Murray was due to play next week's China Open in Beijing, but he decided to end his truncated six-tournament season earlier to ensure his best possible shape for the Australian Open in January next year.

Source(s): Reuters