Murray Crashes in Q’final, Djokovic’s Medal Dream Alive

Murray Crashes in Q’final,  Djokovic’s Medal Dream Alive

TENNIS

Andy Murray’s bid for an Olympic gold at a third successive Games ended as he and Joe Salisbury lost in the men’s doubles quarter-finals in Tokyo.

The British pair lost 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 10-7 against Croatia’s Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig in the quarter-finals.

Murray, 34, and Salisbury, a doubles specialist who reached a career-high ranking of three last year, were playing their first event together.

Liam Broady was the final Briton to fall after losing in the singles.

The 27-year-old was a late call-up to the British squad after Dan Evans tested positive for coronavirus, and marked his Olympic debut with two victories including a fine win over Wimbledon semi-finalist Hub,ert Hurkacz in the second round.

However, beating France’s Jeremy Chardy proved a step too far and he lost 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-1 in hot conditions at the Ariake Tennis Centre.

Serbia’s world number one Novak Djokovic also moved into the quarter-finals and praised a decision by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to move the start of play to 3pm local time from today.

Djokovic had been among the players to complain about the stifling heat and humidity, with matches having begun at 11am.

Russian second seed Daniil Medvedev had trouble with the conditions in his win over Italian Fabio Fognini.

The 25-year-old took a medical timeout on court and called the trainer on two other occasions, and chair umpire Carlos Ramos asked Medvedev if he was all right during the second set.

“I’m fine. I can finish the match but I can die. If I die will the ITF take responsibility?” Medvedev replied.

Murray, who won the singles at London 2012 and Rio 2016, pulled out of the individual event with a minor thigh strain to focus on the doubles.

The three-time Grand Slam singles champion forged an impressive partnership with 29-year-old Salisbury, who won his maiden major doubles title at last year’s Australian Open.

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