Murray suffers early setback

Andy Murray looked set for early Olympics embarrassment in Beijing today as he trailed Yen-Hsun Lu of Chinese Taipei by a set and a break when his first round match was delayed by rain.

The Scot twice blew a break advantage in the opening set to the world number 77, who hit his shots with much more accuracy and purpose to wrest back the advantage and lead 7-6 (7-5) 2-0.

But Murray had only himself to blame after going both 4-2 and 5-3 up, only to be broken back immediately each time. Murray then fought back from 6-2 down in the tie-break to 6-5, only to double-fault and hand his opponent the set.

Growing in confidence, Lu held serve in the opening game of the second set then broke Murray when the world number six flailed an awful backhand well wide of the tramlines.

As the rain began to pour, Murray grabbed his bag and could not get off the court fast enough. The status of his doubles match with brother Jamie, scheduled for later tonight, was thus put in doubt.