Andy Murray is out of the Australian Open after getting bested by Taro Daniel from Japan in straight sets 6-4 6-4 6-4.
It was a very long match for a straight-set match but most of that was due to the fact that rallies were rather long and very physical. Neither Murray nor his opponent were able to outhit one another so rallies were usually ended by a string of great shots or a mistake. Daniel has made most of his damage on Tour on clay but this year he started off very well.
He played several great matches in the qualifiers and it seems his level is here to stay. Murray did not have his best today but he fought very hard all match long. The first set featured Daniel taking an early break but Murray was able to pull it back not long after that. However, the Japanese player once again went ahead and closed out the first set with 6-4.
The 2nd set was another similar one. Once again it was Daniel who was quite superb especially on his first serve. He did not allow much to Murray and even when the Brit found chances on the Japanese's 2nd serve he was quite solid. Murray struggled on his 2nd serve once again and one break was enough for Daniel to seal it.
The 3r set opened with a break for Murray who took an early 2-0 lead and it seemed like the Brit would finally find a way. However, he gave it back right away as he once again struggled on his 2nd serve. It was all solid until 4-3 when Daniel went on a 4-0 run to close out the match with 6-4. A huge win for the Japanese who will break into the top 100 after the event.
Taro Daniel plays a great match to beat 5 times runner up and former #1 Andy Murray 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and reach his first *ever* Grand Slam 3rd round at the #AusOpen. Very disappointing for Murray, who looked in great form in the last 10 days or so. Intensity wasn't there today...
