Another tough draw for Murray as Tiafoe awaits in Antwerp

The Scot’s bid to get back up the rankings has been hampered by a series of tough draws

Britain’s Andy Murray in action during his first round match at Wimbledon 2021 Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic

October 16, 2021

Andy Murray must be wondering when he’s going to catch a break.

The former world No 1, trying to get himself back up the rankings after having a metal hip inserted in early 2019, has been hampered by some desperate draws, including pulling Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round at the US Open.

Things are not getting much easier, though, with the 34-year-old, who beat Carlos Alcaraz in Indian Wells earlier this week, drawn to face Frances Tiafoe in the first round of the European Open in Antwerp. And should he get through that one, he’ll play world No 15 and second seed Diego Schwartzman in the second round.

ATP250 Antwerp singles draw pic.twitter.com/yG5Mi7eFup
— Michal Samulski (@MichalSamulski) October 16, 2021

Sinner v Musetti on the cards in round two

Murray won the title in Antwerp in 2019 but the draw has not made it easy for him if he wants to repeat and with his ranking set to fall to around 172 on Monday, things are getting tougher week on week.

Top seed Jannik Sinner will also have to be on guard, with fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti a possible opponent in round two.

Musetti plays another Italian, Gianluca Mager, in round one.