Andy Murray was unable to achieve his first ATP Tour quarter-final since February after Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry fought again to win a gruelling contest in Basel.
Murray, 36, recovered from a sluggish begin to win the primary set in 76 minutes.
However the Briton ended up dropping 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-2 to the world quantity 32, who secured victory in over three hours.
In the meantime, Cameron Norrie misplaced 6-2 6-4 towards fifth seed Alexander Zverev in his second-round match in Vienna.
Former world primary Murray has made a behavior this season of being concerned in some marathon matches – and the scrap towards Etcheverry was one other instance.
Having stopped Etcheverry going 3-0 forward, the Scot confirmed all of his trademark tenacity and endurance to maintain his opponent locked in lengthy rallies throughout a good opening set which might have swung both method.
Murray trailed within the tie-break earlier than making a set level with an outstanding crosscourt forehand winner and changing his probability with a deft volley.
After falling a break down early within the second set, Murray was unable to take three break factors as Etcheverry held on in a 16-minute seventh sport – which proved key in taking the match to a decider.
Nearly two and a half hours have been already on the clock and each gamers wanted time to catch their breath earlier than Murray succumbed to a fourth break level in one other lengthy opening sport.
Murray continued to strain the 24-year-old Argentine however grew to become more and more exasperated – typically flinging his racquet to the courtroom – as he was unable to create any extra possibilities.
Etcheverry rattled off the ultimate three video games and Murray’s fourth loss in 5 matches capped a disappointing night time for the British singles gamers.
Norrie, who’s ranked because the nation’s finest participant, has struggled for victories in latest months and didn’t have sufficient high quality to often hassle Germany’s Zverev.
The distinction within the high quality of serving was a key issue, with Norrie touchdown solely 54% of first serves whereas 2020 US Open runner-up Zverev was highly effective and correct all through.
A knee harm was one other supply of concern for Norrie. The left-hander requested for a medical timeout when he trailed 4-3 within the second set and British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith can even be hoping it’s not a significant downside.
Smith, who has named Norrie in his five-man squad for the quarter-final tie towards Serbia in Malaga on 23 November, already faces an anxious wait about the extent of a calf harm suffered by Dan Evans on Tuesday.
In the meantime, Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz says he will probably be match sufficient to play the Paris Masters and season-ending ATP Finals after a latest foot harm.