By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Saturday, August 5, 2023

So what's subsequent for Andy Murray after what's been a season stuffed with ups and downs?

Well, for starters, he is on his solution to Toronto for subsequent week's ATP 1000 Masters occasion the place he is a previous winner.

Yet the previous World No. 1 and three-time main champion nonetheless finds himself in new waters in his profession as he approaches yet one more US Open.

First of all, let's begin with the excellent news. Murray performed an exhilarating and fascinating match in opposition to high seed Taylor Fritz of their early spherical encounter on the ATP 500 Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C. 

Fritz received the over three-hour match 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-4. Yet it was a titanic battle between each males.

That being stated, the match delighted followers watching in particular person as every participant needed to combine up energy and contact to remain forward of the opposite.

Win or lose, at all times an inspiration.

Hold your head excessive, @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/Kk6rNC4nLO

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 4, 2023

However, for Murray, a participant who prides himself on discovering a means by razor-close matches, this loss proved difficult to take. Especially contemplating he is made a dwelling from getting by very tight contests up to now.

After the loss, Murray may take some positives away, particularly since he misplaced badly the earlier time he performed Fritz - final 12 months in Montreal 6-1, 6-3. But solely simply.

"Well, I mean, in comparison to where my game was last year when I played Taylor, like, I was in a pretty bad place when I played him in Canada. I really wasn't feeling good with my game. So my game is in a better place. I have made some improvements," Murray stated. 

"But obviously you want to be getting through those matches. They were matches I have been used to winning. So, yeah, it's frustrating right now."

And there lies the rub for Murray now age 36.

"How well does he read the game?" 😱@andy_murray #MubadalaCitiDCOpen pic.twitter.com/jHND18H5Ck

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 4, 2023

On the one hand, Murray is proving that he can problem many high 10 gamers on any given week. His anticipation and shot prediction in opposition to the highest gamers is unparalleled. 

In his match with Fritz, he learn each level and shot delivered to him. That included utilizing the rallies to arrange potent forehand winners. Yes, forehand winners on a wing that was usually his weaker aspect. 

At the identical time, Murray was by no means afraid to throw in intelligent forehand slices and even drop pictures, once more on what has usually been thought of his weaker shot.

But, in some ways, extra is required, particularly in opposition to the easiest, at the least in keeping with the rankings and his outcomes.

Murray, earlier than the Fritz match, was 10-10 on the 12 months. As within the Fritz match, a lot of his ten losses this 12 months have been very shut ones that might have gone his means. That contains his very aggressive but finally disappointing five-set defeat at Wimbledon to Stefanos Tsitsipas just some weeks in the past.

While Murray, is presently ranked No. 44, his rating over the past 12 months has but to climb into the highest 30. To try this, Murray should discover a solution to flip any upcoming shut matches in his favor for a win.

Murray will now enter the summer time onerous court docket swing hoping for a good run in Toronto or Cincinnati to place him again right into a seeded place in New York. And he may have that seed if he has any hope of creating a deep run at a significant he is received earlier than.

Despite the struggles, there's nonetheless a summer time of risk for Andy Murray. 

Let's see what occurs.

Photo credit score: Matthew Calvis

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