Murray withdraws before match against Djokovic in Madrid

MADRID –

Andy Murray was unable to compete against Novak Djokovic at Thursday’s Madrid Open due to illness.

Murray was set to play Djokovic in Round 3.

It would have marked the first time Murray had played Djokovic against each other since Djokovic’s win in Doha 2017.

Murray defeated Dominic Thiem, and Denis Shapovalov in his first Madrid matches. Former No. 1. had not won consecutive matches in January and hadn’t played in a clay court tournament in almost two years.

Murray is currently ranked 78th worldwide. The 34-year old Murray has been steadily climbing up the rankings after undergoing hip surgery in both 2018 & 2019. Murray arrived in Madrid having a record of 10-8 in eight tournaments. In January, he lost to Aslan Karatsev at the Sydney final.

Murray was not available for comment. Murray had already been diagnosed with cancer. saidAfter his victory over Shapovalov, he felt great.

Djokovic was automatically promoted to the quarterfinals with Murray’s withdrawal. This is his second appearance in the quarterfinals this year, after losing in the Serbia final last month. Djokovic had lost his first match in Monte Carlo, his first clay tournament of the season.

Djokovic also wants to get back to his best form, after he was not allowed to play at the Australian Open due to not having been vaccinated. This is his fourth tournament of this season. Madrid opened with a two-set victory for the Serb against Gael Monfils.

Rafael Nadal, third seed, plays David Goffin in his first tournament following a six-week layoff due to injury. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, who is celebrating his 19th birthday, faces Cameron Norrie.

Andrey Rublev beat Djokovic to win the Serbia final. Daniel Evans plays Daniel Evans while Alexander Zverev, the defending champion, meets qualifier Lorenzo Musetti. Fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas will face Gregor Dimitrov.

Ons Jabeur (8th) faces qualifier Ekaterina Alexanderova (12th), while Jessica Pegula (12th) meets Jil Tiichmann (12th).