Andy Murray: New coach looks top priority for Grand Slam champion after Roberto Bautista Agut thrashing in Doha

Three years ago Andy Murray’s career looked to be on the line after his five-set loss to Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round of the Australian Open. Now, after a 6-1 6-0 thrashing by the same opponent, one wonders what direction his career is now heading. Murray has been steadily building steam over the last year, playing more regularly and getting some impressive wins under his belt.

But the positives have been tinged with some disappointing results, such as the loss to then-world No 158 Roman Safiullin in an ATP Challenger in Rennes, or the defeats to Dominik Koepfer and Tommy Paul towards the end of 2021. This year they have stacked up further as Murray has lost to world No 56 Facundo Bagnis, world No 120 Taro Daniel, and has now suffered one of the heaviest defeats of his career against Bautista Agut. Ad/> The last player to beat Murray 6-0 6-1 was Roger Federer in 2014.

The only other player to hand out such a one-sided thrashing to Murray was Novak Djokovic in 2007. ATP DohaBautista Agut trounces Murray to reach quarter-finals in Doha as Evans also exits7 HOURS AGO Murray was poor against Bautista Agut, winning just 15 of 41 service points, eight on his first serve and seven on his second serve. He managed just five winners compared to 15 unforced errors.

Yes, Bautista Agut was good, and when he’s dialled in he can give the very best in the world a tough test, yet the way he ran away with the match was surprising. Murray thrashed by Bautista Agut in Doha Muguruza, Krejcikova crash out in Dubai Murray had spoken before the match about the courts in Doha suiting his game and wanting to make things “difficult” for any opponent he faced. He did get into several games against Bautista Agut which might have swung