Andy Murray has bowed out of the European Open in the second round following a narrow defeat to Argentine Diego Schwartzman.
The three-time Grand Slam winner overcame Frances Tiafoe in the first round to set up a tie with Schwartzman and found himself 4-1 up in the first set against the world number 14.
However, Murray would suffer a collapse as Schwartzman took the first set 6-4 before a 7-6 second-set success following an 8-6 tie-break, but the South American nevertheless paid tribute to his opponent's performance.
Speaking to the media after the game, Schwartzman said: "It was a pleasure to play against Andy. We had not played before and he is coming back and every week he is playing better and moving better.
"I have a lot of respect because when I grew up playing tennis, I was watching Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic and right now, playing against him is a pleasure for me."
Murray triumphed in the European Open as recently as 2019 but will now begin preparations for the Vienna Open later this month.
Ben Knapton
