“The strangest situation which I have been in before a match,” Andy Murray on the confusion that ensued at Winston-Salem Open

“The strangest situation which I have been in before a match,” Andy Murray on the confusion that ensued at Winston-Salem Open

Andy Murray

Andy Murray returned to action at the ATP Winston-Salem Open this week, where he was defeated in the second round by Frances Tiafoe in straight sets. The Briton had earlier defeated the American, Noah Rubin in the first round in straight sets.

Originally, Murray was scheduled to play against Nick Kyrgios in his first round encounter. However, the Australian had to withdraw from the tournament, and Murray would now face a lucky loser instead. The Briton’s opponent was not decided an hour before his first round match, until Noah Rubin, a lucky loser finally decided to compete in the main draw.

Andy Murray’s first round match was of particular significance, as fans packed the stands to watch the three time Grandslam champion in action. The Briton accepted that it was the strangest situation he had ever been in before a match.

FS Video

Noah Rubin and Andy Murray react on playing the first round at Winston-Salem Open

YouTube video

In a video posted by Winston-Salem Open, Andy Murray and Noah Rubin spoke about how the confusion that ensued before they played their first round match. “By far the strangest situation I have been in before a match,” said Murray.

Noah Rubin had earlier played his qualifying round match, where he was defeated in three sets. However, just after the match, he was offered to play in the main draw of Winston-Salem Open, and was given just about half an hour to prepare himself.

“Losing two matches on the same day, such a thing never took place before. Once Pierre and Max said no, they asked me if I wanted to play,” said Rubin. The American had attended both college and university at Winston-Salem, and as such, the tournament holds a huge significance for him.

However, Noah Rubin started cramping up in the second set, and was defeated by a score line of 6-2, 6-0. Rubin was applauded by his home crowd for putting up a fight, despite such a hectic schedule. “This was larger than tennis, it was just me being out on court again,” added Rubin.

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