Andy Murray's clay comeback at Bordeaux Challenger derailed after defeat to World No.115

Andy Murray's clay court comeback has been derailed after defeat in his opening tie against Gregoire Barrere at the Bordeaux Challenger 6-4, 6-2.

Murray was nearly beaten more emphatically with the former World No.1 going 5-0 down in the first set. He recovered to 5-4, but ran out of time as Barrere served it out. The Brit broke to love in the third game of the second set and he missed two break point chances. This gleamed a 3-1 lead for Barrere.

He led 5-2 before serving out to win it in one hour and 27 minutes. Stats wise, Murray took three out of six break points, while his opponent was a lot more clinical on 6/7. It is Murray's first tournaments since ruptured ankle ligaments.

He sustained the injury at the 2024 Miami Open, but two months later and he is back on court and saw off Kyrian Jacquet by walkover in his opener. His plan is to play the French Open mainly due to a doubles date with Dan Evans. He is setting his stall out to play one final Olympic Games and seemingly sees doubles as his best opportunity to win one final gold medal.

He will next play at the Gonet Geneva Open next week and continues to have.a packed schedule ahead of his retirement. Murray previously said that he does not plan to play much past this summer, but has not announced when and where his retirement will be. But it seems likely to be the Olympic Games. He could've done so at Wimbledon, but likely would've snubbed the clay.

This way he gets preparation in for July at Roland Garros, before his attention fully turns to grass with his campaign on that surface starting the week after the French Open at Surbiton. He is defending champion in that tournament, but it will be played for the last time due to calendar changes.