ContinueJamie and Andy Murray crashed out of the Olympic doubles event in the first round yesterday, losing to Austria’s Jurgen Melzer and Alexander Peya.
The British brothers had their chances after winning the first set and forcing a second set tie-break, but the Austrians eventually won the contest 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 7-5.
It’s another blow for the 25 year-old who suffered a heartbreaking Wimbledon final defeat to Roger Federer earlier this month. The world number four has now turned his attention to singles action and will be hoping that he can advance further than the first hurdle.
Tennis fans turned up in huge numbers to support the Murrays, just as they do at Wimbledon when ‘Murray Mound’ is filled with enthusiastic supporters and the Scot was appreciative of the crowd: "They did a great job. They were really loud from the first point to the last,” Andy Murray told BBC Sport.
"They helped a lot. You don't always get that for doubles matches and it was a really nice atmosphere to play in. I hope they enjoyed the match."
The Murray brothers had the better of things for much of the two hours and 32 minutes they were on Court Two, twice leading by a break in the final set.
However, elder brother Jamie lost serve twice as they were pegged back, and once again in the 12th game as the Austrians clinched victory.
"It was tough. We played well," Andy Murray explained. "We were a break up twice in the third set. We had enough chances to win the match, but each time we got the break we got broken straight back, so it was tough."
Britain's other hopes in the men's doubles, Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins, were beaten 7-5 6-3 by Frenchmen Julien Benneteau and Richard Gasquet, while Heather Watson and Laura Robson let an early lead slip as Angelique Kerber and Sabine Lisicki of Germany won 1-6 6-4 6-3.
