Andy Murray battled Alexander Zverev all the way at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells but was unable to defeat the German third seed, lost 6-4 7-6. (4).
Zverev won for the first time in his career against the former world No. 1 and advanced to the fourth round.
The Scot, who had beaten the German in their two previous meetings, blamed his setback on a lack of consistency.
“No, I didn’t play well. I’m not saying he played well either, I don’t think I played well today. There’s a lot of mistakes,” Murray said.
“There was some good stuff in there but it was mixed in with bad, there was no sort of consistency. I don’t think my average level was just not really there today, it was either good or bad.
“This is physically the best I’ve felt for a while but, I’m sort of battling my game a little bit. The consistency isn’t there. The decision-making is not great in the important moments still.”
Tightest margins ?#BNPPO21 pic.twitter.com/CHTUxQzh2j
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) October 12, 2021
Murray raced away to an early break in the third-round match before Zverev was able to get into his groove and take the opening set by a hair.
Murray went up a break in the second set before allowing Zverev back into the match in the same fashion.
Murray took advantage of some unusual errors by Zverev to force a tie-break, but the 2020 US Open finalist was able to win the vital games down the stretch to advance to the next round, where he will face Gael Monfils of France.
Zverev talks about Andy Murray
In his post-match on-court interview, Alexander Zverev praised Murray’s performance.
“He’s the only one of the Big Four that I hadn’t beaten yet, so I’m happy that I’ve done it today,” he said.
“I always stayed in the match, even though I was down a break in both sets.
“I always knew I had a chance. Especially the second set I think was an extremely high level from both of us. It could have gone both ways.
“Obviously it was a fantastic match. I thought Andy played extremely well, maybe as well as he’s played since the (hip) surgery.
“I hope he continues playing the same way because tennis did miss him for a long time and I think it’s good to have him back.
Murray, who received a wild card into the event as he continues his comeback from hip replacement surgery, adding that as long as he stays fit and healthy, he will continue to play at the highest level.
“No one can guarantee me that my hip will be fine for the next five or six years, but that’s the risk I’m willing to take,” he said.
“I’m out here playing against top four, five players in the world and not playing my best tennis, with a metal hip and competing with them well.
“I find that quite funny, but I’ll keep doing it whilst the hip allows I guess.”
Read More: Murray gives reason behind Raducanu’s early exit from Indian Wells