Jamie Murray 'disappointed' after Tokyo Olympics exit

British doubles star Jamie Murray felt disappointed after he and fellow compatriot Neal Skupski suffered an exit at the Tokyo Olympics. 

Murray and Skupski, seeded at No. 7, lost to Japan's Ben McLachlan and Kei Nishikori. 

McLachlan and Nishikori, who are playing together for just the third time in their careers, beat Murray and Skupski 6-3 6-4. 

Murray and Skupski, one of the most experienced doubles players on the Tour, were aiming to win a gold medal for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics. 

“We’re disappointed to lose, obviously. The Olympic Games comes round once every four years and everyone wants to do well, everyone dreams of coming in and winning a medal," Murray said, per Tennis365.

“It was a tough match for us today. I think the other guys played very well, especially at the start to put us under the pump a bit. Just a tough day.”

Murray and Skupski lose in straight sets 

McLachlan and Nishikori made a good start to the match, having claimed the first break of the match in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. 

McLachlan and Nishikori had a chance to go up by a double break but Murray and Skupski saved four break points in the sixth game to reduce the deficit to 4-2. 

Murray and Skupski avoided going down by a double break but failed to get the break back as McLachlan and Nishikori served out for the opener in the ninth game. 

After losing the first set, Murray and Skupski had a chance to go up by an early break in the second set but they failed to realize their break point of the match in the fourth game. 

Murray and Skupski paid the price for failing to convert a break point in the fourth game as McLachlan and Skupski broke the British duo in the fifth game for a 3-2 lead. 

McLachlan and Nishikori then held on to their serve the rest of the way to book a straight-set win. 

McLachlan and Nishikori now have a tough quarterfinal clash as they are set to face next No. 1 seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic. 

Mektic and Pavic, who have won eight titles so far in 2021, are aiming to continue their outstanding season and win gold medal in Tokyo.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2UVOexa