Andy Murray made an agonising exit from the Miami Open on Sunday night, yelling in pain after rolling his left ankle at the end of an exhaustive battle which saw the 36-year-old suffer tiebreak heartache against his Czech vanquisher Tomas Machac.

Murray was left face down in distress on Butch Buchholz Court after hurting himself at the precise moment he had made it 5-5 in the final set. He looked like a broken man after picking himself up, shaking his head as he hobbled to his seat for medical attention. 

Prior to that, the spirited Scot had broken Machac to stop him from serving out the victory in a defiant display of determination, the like of which only he can produce.

Though Murray is nearing a summer in which he is set to retire, there can be no questioning his commitment as his career nears its end. It was to the crowd’s amazement that he returned to take the match to a deciding tiebreak and there, the 23-year-old from the Czech Republic confirmed his 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 victory in three hours and 37 minutes.

Though Murray departed disappointed, those on Butch Buchholz Court knew they had witnessed a vintage performance from the soon-to-retire Brit, one of blistering backhands and luscious lobs as he showcased some of his best tennis in securing the first set.

Andy Murray has exited the Miami Open after losing to Tomas Machac in the round of 32

Andy Murray has exited the Miami Open after losing to Tomas Machac in the round of 32

Andy Murray has exited the Miami Open after losing to Tomas Machac in the round of 32

Murray looked to be in serious discomfort after rolling his ankle in the third set

Murray looked to be in serious discomfort after rolling his ankle in the third set

Murray looked to be in serious discomfort after rolling his ankle in the third set

Murray had to deal with a rain delay midway through the second set which disrupted his momentum, as well as the movement of feral fans in the stands which led to an angry exchange with the Brazilian umpire Carlos Bernardes.

The spectators were largely on Murray’s side, hopeful of seeing him extend his stay in Miami – a city which he described as his ‘tennis home’ this week owing to how often he has used it as a base for his training. With his plan to stop playing as of this summer – potentially after the 2024 Olympics in Paris – Murray knew he was facing his last competitive match in the Florida metropolis if he suffered a repeat of his straight-sets loss to Machac in Marseille last month.

Murray wasted break points in each of Machac’s first three service games but did not show signs of frustration as they remained tied at 3-3. Instead, there were clenched fists galore whenever he held his serve as he worked on whipping up the crowd.

At 5-5, Murray carved up another three chances to break at 0-40. Machac saved them all to bring it back to 40-40 – the third with an ace which nicked the line – but Murray took charge at deuce.

Finally, at the ninth time of asking, he broke his young competitor with a big backhand and an even bigger celebration followed as he skipped towards his chair before serving out the first set.

Rain interrupted the second set while Murray was serving to make it 2-2. Once those ominous-looking clouds had passed, the Scot went back to putting pressure on Machac, yet Murray lost focus as he complained about being distracted by roaming spectators in the stands.

Machac got the better ofiMurray in the tie-break at the end of a pulsating encounter

Machac got the better ofiMurray in the tie-break at the end of a pulsating encounter

Machac got the better ofiMurray in the tie-break at the end of a pulsating encounter 

Machac had still not secured a single break point but at 5-4, the pressure was on Murray to serve to stay in the second set. At 15-40, Machac had two chances to level up the match.

Despite yet more complaining about movement, which led to an argument with Bernardes, who was accused of not keeping them under control, Murray saved both set points and prevailed at deuce. At 6-5, Machac secured another set point. This time, he took it.

At the start of the third set, Murray was broken as Machac took a 2-0 lead with a confident backhand winner, leaving the Scot facing an exasperating exit amid an epic battle.

At 4-2, Murray had two chances to break back but Machac saved both. At 5-3, he secured another three opportunities. After slapping two forehand returns into the net, he won the third, with Machac nervously suffering a double fault to leave us back on serve.

As Murray made it 5-5, however, he damaged his left ankle and was left on the floor in pain. Somehow, Murray returned to court and even sent the match into a deciding tiebreak.

There, Murray led 4-2, then 5-3, but Machac refused to relent. He battled back, eventually prevailing to win the match to send the Scot out of this tournament for the final time in his career.

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