Andy Murray’s preparation for this month’s US Open began with a first-round loss at the Washington Open.
The 35-year-old lost 7-6 (10-8) 4-6 6-1 to 115th-ranked Swede Mikael Ymer.
On his chances of qualifying for the US Open, the former world number one and current number 50 said: “It’s still possible, but I’ll definitely need to play better than I did.”
There were victories for Kyle Edmund and Jack Draperbut Katie Boulter defeated in the Silicon Valley Classic;
Boulter shocked eight seed Karolina Pliskova with a flurry in the first set, only for the Czech to come through 1-6 7-6 6-3.
Edmund beat Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki 6-4 7-6 (10-8) on his return to ATP singles after a 20-month layoff to set up a meeting with compatriot Dan Evans.
Edmund has had three surgeries on his left knee and was playing in his first tournament-level singles match since October 2020.
He said: “I didn’t find it easy. I hung in there and got my reward in the end.”
Draper beat American Stefan Kozlov 7-5 6-2 to advance and will now face Russian Andrei Rublev.
Harriet Dart he also lost in Washington, with the Chinese Zhu Lin winning 6-4 6-3, while Emma RadoukanouThe professional doubles debut – alongside Denmark’s Clara Tauson – ended with a 6-4 6-1 loss to Romania’s Monica Niculescu and Czech Lucie Hradecka.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williamsplaying her first singles match in nearly a year, was also knocked out in the opening round in Washington, falling to Canadian qualifier Rebecca Marino 4-6 6-1 6-4.
“It was nice to have the crowd behind me,” said the 42-year-old. “Definitely a great experience – just trying to shake off some rust. That’s to be expected.”
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina lost 1-6 6-2 6-0 to seventh seed Daria Kasatkina at the WTA San Jose hard court tournament.