Nottingham | Murray strides into final

The final of the Rothesay Open, an ATP Challenger event being staged in Nottingham, is bizarrely being played between a 36-year-old former Wimbledon champion and a Qualifier aged 20 who has only won one match at ATP Tour level since he turned professional in 2021.

I've been playing a lot of youngsters recently and it's always tough. Some of these guys it's the first time seeing them, but I've practised with him so hopefully not too many surprises Andy Murray

Andy Murray versus Arthur Cavaux of France are the players being referred to but as tennis history has recorded many times, records don’t matter on the day as Cavaux has shown some remarkable tennis skills to reach the final without dropping a set in his main draw run.

To make the title round the world-ranked No. 181 defeated the German fifth-seeded Dominik Koepfer 7-5 6-2 in 82-minutes in his pursuit of a third title at Challenger level.

Murray has also reached the final without dropping a set and is on a run of 9 consecutive victories on grass this season having lifted the Trophy at Surbiton last Sunday.

The three-time Grand Slam winner defeated Portugal’s Nuno Borges 6-3 6-2 in just 72-minutes but briefly struggled during the latter part of the match before eventually crossing the line.

“You come here to enjoy the tennis but ultimately you want to win the tournament,” Murray said after completing his win over the world number 73 and third seed.

“I practised with him [Cazaux] a few weeks ago, he is a top young French player so it will be a good one.

“I’ve been playing a lot of youngsters recently and it’s always tough. Some of these guys it’s the first time seeing them, but I’ve practised with him so hopefully not too many surprises.

“I’ve enjoyed it [the tournament] a lot. The courts are brilliant in terms of quality and some of the best grass courts I’ve played on so well done to the groundsman and his team for making them so good – it’s why the quality of tennis has been good.”

Murray is currently 44th in the world rankings and is attempting to get into the top 32 for a possible seeding position at Wimbledon, which begins on 3 July.

To help him in that chase for points, he is also scheduled to play Queen’s next week where he has drawn the seventh seed and world No. 18, Alex de Minaur in the first round whom he has failed to beat in three previous attempts.

The men’s doubles final in Nottingham was an all-British affair with the team of Jacob Fearnley and Johannus Monday beating the pairing of Liam Broady and Jonny O’Mara 6-3 6-7 [10-7].

Arthur Cazaux has yet to drop a set this week.