Final month Murray admitted he was in a “horrible second” however mentioned he “will not stop” in response to an article which questioned when the Scot ought to retire.
In opposition to Czech Machac, 23, he was damaged in his second serve recreation and, having recovered to 5-5, gifted his opponent one other break for 6-5 with a double fault and backhand error.
Murray misplaced his serve once more early within the second and missed a possibility to interrupt again at 3-2 earlier than Machac comfortably closed out one of many greatest wins of his profession.
Elsewhere in Abu Dhabi, Naomi Osaka‘s comeback was halted by one other first-round defeat as she misplaced 7-5 6-0 to American Danielle Collins.
The Japanese former world primary returned final month after giving start in 2023, however struggled after shedding a decent first set.
Osaka received her first match again on the Brisbane Worldwide initially of January however has misplaced her three matches since, together with in opposition to Caroline Garcia within the Australian Open first spherical.
“I do know she’s nonetheless solely a few matches into her comeback,” mentioned Collins, who’s at the moment ranked 71st on the planet.
“However I believe she’s taking part in effectively.
“She performed a very good first set and was serving very effectively and doing a little actually nice issues out on courtroom.
“I am certain at this level it is simply form of regaining confidence and getting extra matches underneath her belt and getting again into the routine of tournaments and that stuff, which will be difficult. However I assumed she performed effectively total.”
Britain’s Harriet Dart progressed to the second spherical of the Transylvanian Open with a 6-4 7-6 (7-0) win over Hungarian Anna Bondar.