Andy Murray played at a high level for an extended period against one of the best players in the world, but he was outperformed in the decisive moments by Andrey Rublev, the fifth seed, who saved four set points before defeating Murray 7-6 (3), 6-1 in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open.
Indian Wells has often been Murray’s bogey tournament, with the slow, high-bouncing courts and gusty wind often leaving him vulnerable to early exits even at the peak of his career, but he showed that he was striking the ball well by reaching the second round with a clinical performance over David Goffin. A much more difficult task awaited in Rublev.
For the Russian, this was also an important occasion as he stepped out on-court for the first time since he was defaulted from his semi-final match against Alexander Bublik in Dubai after he screamed at a line umpire in the aftermath of a contentious call. Rublev came under some criticism for his initial statement after the incident, which did not properly address his own behaviour, but before his match he released a video with an extensive apology for his actions.
In the opening stages on Friday afternoon, Murray’s game flowed well. As he desperately tries to find some form before the summer, the Scot has made a concerted effort to play more attacking tennis. He is injecting more pace into his strokes, taking the ball earlier and assuming more risk.
He served at a high level, confidently navigating his service games and putting Rublev under pressure on his own serve. He also moved extremely well in the set: at 4-4, 30-30, he flitted from side to side before delicately placing a precise angled backhand passing shot beyond Rublev en route to a strong hold. Murray then put himself in the perfect position to take the set, generating four set points on his opponent’s serve at 5-4.
But he could not close it out. Aside from one missed second serve return from Murray, Rublev saved the set points in an array of big forehands and service winners and he took heart from the escape. By the tiebreak, though, the Russian had wrestled full control of the baseline.
As Murray retreated further and further behind the baseline, his level faded while his opponent’s vicious shotmaking was in full flow. Rublev dominated the tiebreak and carried his momentum throughout the second set, clinically closing out the match.
Murray may have stressed that it is unlikely that his career will extend past this summer but, as he continues to travel around the world leaving no stone unturned in his efforts to turn his form around, it still seems like he is motivated by the more unlikely scenario; that despite his dire start to the season, he will eventually begin to perform at a level that would justify him continuing to compete on the tour. Against one of the best players in the world, he handled himself well enough, but he will take no solace in another defeat.
Meanwhile, Angelique Kerber took the biggest win of her comeback as the 35-year-old dispatched Jelena Ostapenko, the 10th seed, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the third round. Kerber, a former No 1 and a three-time grand slam champion, gave birth to her daughter, Liana, in February 2023. Iga Swiatek, the top seed and 2022 champion, reached the third round with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Danielle Collins.
