Indian Wells Masters – Murray’s 701st victory will wait, Auger-Aliassime stopped, Rublev and Isner advance

Andy Murray failed to follow up. As in each of his last five tournaments, the Scot was knocked out in his second match. And this Sunday, it was Alexander Bublik who imposed his law on him. A day after recording the 700th victory of his career – snatched from a hard fight (1-6, 6-2, 6-4) at the expense of the Japanese Taro Daniel -, the former world number 1 was taken out in two sets by the Kazakh, seeded n°31.

After a hotly contested first set that he dropped after a good tie-break battle (11/9 after 17 minutes of play), Andy Murray did not go the distance in the second set against an opponent that he had beaten in Rotterdam a month ago. After two hours of play, the Kazakh, who knew how to tire his opponent, thus signs his first victory against Murray.

Rublev qualified, Auger-Aliassime eliminated

Just before, Andrey Rublev, seeded N.7, had qualified for the 3rd round, beating 7-5, 6-4 the German Dominik Koepfer. The Russian, recent winner in Marseille then Dubai, will face an American in the next round, Frances Tiafoe or Brandon Nakashima (N.28), opposed during the day.

Rublev took a little time to enter his match, since he was trailing 4-2, before immediately unbreaking, then taking the opposing serve for the second time to win the first set. The second was also tight. After breaking to lead 4-3, the Russian immediately conceded his commitment, letting his opponent resurface, before taking the lead to win in 1:46.

At the same time, John Isner also validated his presence in the third round of the tournament after his victory against Sam Querrey (7-6, 7-6). Still with the Americans: Steve Johnson for his part surprised Aslan Karatsev in two sets (7-6, 6-4). Felix Auger-Aliassime, meanwhile, fell victim to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in three sets (7-6, 6-7, 6-3).

(With AFP)