The star of the tournament is already out.
In Rennes, the arrival of Andy Murray was a real event.
Descended to 116th place in the world, the Scotsman had agreed to participate in this Challenger tournament with the aim of "stringing together matches".
He will not have really had the opportunity to do so.
The former world number one was eliminated Wednesday night by Russian Roman Safiullin in three sets (6-2 / 4-6 / 6-1).
The long-awaited quarter-final against Richard Gasquet will not take place.
Eliminated in the first round of the US Open at the end of a marathon against Stefanos Tsitsipas (which ended with some well-felt punchlines from Andy), the Scotsman did not validate his goal.
In a Challenger tournament at a high level but well within his reach, Murray got annoyed to end up falling in the second round in 1h50 against the 158th ATP player.
"I want to get my body used to playing 2, 3 or 4 games again," slipped the champion after his victory in the first round against Yannick Maden.
He didn't have time.
It's already over for Andy Murray at the Rennes Open, eliminated in the round of 16 by Roman Safiullin (6-2.4-6.6-1).
No Gasquet-Murray in the quarters Friday night.
pic.twitter.com/1WbNyxO3vY
- Clément Gavard (@Clem_Gavv) September 15, 2021
In 2017, then in 2019, the Olympic champion had undergone a double right hip operation in 2017 and 2019 which forced him to leave the field for many months.
In the other poster of the evening, Richard Gasquet did not tremble to win in straight sets against Clément Chidekh.
The Biterrois will find Safiullin in the quarter-finals of the Rennes Open.
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