Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert LIVE: Dubai tennis result and latest reaction

Andy Murray is out of the ATP Dubai Tennis Championships after falling to a straight-sets defeat to Ugo Humbert in the second-round.

Murray was aiming to win back-to-back matches for the first time this season following his opening victory over Denis Shapovalov, but the in-form Humbert was in complete control of the contest as the Frenchman sealed a 6-2 6-4 win in 89 minutes.

Humbert, who is at a career-best ranking of 18, barely allowed Murray to win a point against serve, and the 36-year-old grew increasingly frustrated as he struggled to make any inroads on the returns.

Speculation has been rife over Murray’s future in the sport this season, with the three-time grand slam champion speaking openly in public about his retirement plans.

Murray hinted on Monday that he is entering the “last few months” of his career but the former World No 1 later told the Today Programme that he is aiming to compete at the Paris Olympics this summer.

Follow all the action from ATP Dubai below:

Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert - live scores and updates from Dubai Tennis Championships

• Andy Murray out of Dubai Championships after straight-sets defeat

• MATCH! Humbert seals 6-2 6-4 win against Murray to reach quarter-finals

• FIRST SET! Humbert dominates on serve and takes opening set 6-2

• Murray reveals Paris Olympics hopes amid retirement hints

The end for Andy Murray has never felt closer

14:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And so the speculation spikes again with Andy Murray’s last match seemingly drawing closer and closer.. After his Australian Open first round defeat in January, Jamie Braidwood explained why the end feels near.

The end for Andy Murray has never felt closer

Andy Murray confirms intention to play at Roland Garros

14:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Murray has expanded on those comments in his post-match press conference in Dubai, suggesting that he is unlikely to play beyond this summer but is hoping to compete at the French Open, which begins on 20 May this year.

"I'm likely not going to play past this summer. I get asked about it after every single match that I play, every single tournament that I play. I'm bored of the question, to be honest."

Andy Murray reveals Paris Olympics hopes amid retirement hints

14:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Andy Murray has revealed he wants to play at another Olympic Games before he retires.

The 36-year-old hinted on Monday that he is entering the “last few months” of his career.

Murray is the only men’s player to win two Olympic singles gold medals, following success in London in 2012 and Rio in 2016, and he wants to play in Paris this summer.

“Hopefully I can get the chance to compete at another one,” Murray told the Today Programme.

Andy Murray reveals Paris Olympics hopes amid retirement hints

Ugo Humbert beats Andy Murray in straight sets

13:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’ll be Hubert Hukacz or Christopher O’Connell next for Ugo Humbert - the third seed is a big favourite and Hurkacz/Humbert would be a tasty little last eight tie.

That match follows Daniil Medvedev, the top seed, on centre court tonight. Lorenzo Sonego is the Russian’s opponent.

Ugo Humbert reacts to beating Andy Murray

13:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“It was a great match for me,” Humbert says. “I played really great tennis. It’s never easy to play against him but it’s a nice performance for me.

“It’s always nice to win a title. I’m happy, I’m playing well. I enjoyed it. It gives me a lot of confidence, and I’m trying to play with that confidence on court. I was really calm today and knew exactly what I had to.”

Andy Murray beaten by Ugo Humbert in straight sets

13:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Good luck,” Andy Murray tells Ugo Humbert at the net, the Scot frustrated with his inability to put his best performance on the court but decisively beaten by the better player. Humbert’s level today was outstanding - and on this sort of form, he looks a real contender this week.

Murray waves farewell to the crowd and disappears off centre court.

Andy Murray beaten by Ugo Humbert in straight sets

13:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s that! Ugo Humbert beats Andy Murray 6-2, 6-4 to progress to the quarter-finals of the Dubai Open.

Andy Murray 2-6, 4-5 Ugo Humbert*

13:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Murray succeeds in keeping himself alive, a beautifully cushioned volley from thigh height earning him game point before a netted Humbert return.

Andy Murray* 2-6, 3-5 Ugo Humbert

13:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Murray re-straps his ankle braces and tries to loosen his legs, but an exasperated cry to the heavens after Ugo Humbert’s latest forehand tonk betrays the situation he faces. He’ll serve to stay in the match.

Andy Murray 2-6, 3-4 Ugo Humbert*

13:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A rare positive game for Andy Murray, the highlight a delightful little clip over the net that befuddles his opponent with Ugo Humbert anticipating a sweeping shot cross-court.

Andy Murray* 2-6, 2-4 Ugo Humbert

13:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just out! So nearly a miraculous winner from Andy Murray at 30-all, beating Humbert to the Frenchman’s left but missing the white line by a matter of millimetres. And another game slips by with the Scot increasingly frustrated at himself...

Andy Murray 2-6, 2-3 Ugo Humbert*

13:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There’s a bit of life in Murray yet, slumping into his chair at the change of ends after a reasonably hard-fought hold. We’ve seen him battle back from this sort of situation before - but Ugo Humbert looks too dialled in to let this slip.

Andy Murray* 2-6, 1-3 Ugo Humbert

13:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And onwards Humbert marches, playing proactively with his left-handed angle causing problems for Murray on serve. The Scot somewhat impetuously swats a forehand return long.

Just three points won on return today for the 36-year-old.

Andy Murray 2-6, 1-2 Ugo Humbert*

13:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ugo Humbert breaks again! Andy Murray mutters furiously at himself and sinks his hands to his knees, his forehand clunky and Humbert simply superb so far.

Andy Murray* 2-6, 1-1 Ugo Humbert

13:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Scot just can’t quite put himself in positive positions in the rally often enough. Twice in Humbert’s service game he manages to push the Frenchman back, but they are the only point he earns with the leftie’s forthright forehand working so consistently to dominate the flow.

Andy Murray 2-6, 1-0 Ugo Humbert*

13:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just as in the first set, Andy Murray holds in his first service game.

Andy Murray reveals Paris Olympics hopes amid retirement hints

13:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Andy Murray has revealed he wants to play at another Olympic Games before he retires.

The 36-year-old hinted on Monday that he is entering the “last few months” of his career.

Murray is the only men’s player to win two Olympic singles gold medals, following success in London in 2012 and Rio in 2016, and he wants to play in Paris this summer.

“Hopefully I can get the chance to compete at another one,” Murray told the Today Programme.

Andy Murray reveals Paris Olympics hopes amid retirement hints

Ugo Humbert takes first set 6-2 against Andy Murray

12:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The set is Ugo Humbert’s soon enough, though. Impressive from the Frenchman, whose power and court manipulation has been too hot for Andy Murray to handle so far, losing just a single point on serve.

Andy Murray 2-5 Ugo Humbert*

12:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Andy Murray stops the rot after five games on the spin, taking his service game to a few whoops as Humbert nets a forehand.

Andy Murray* 1-5 Ugo Humbert

12:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another hold to love as Ugo Humbert hurries towards this first set.

Andy Murray 1-4 Ugo Humbert*

12:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This set is starting to unravel for Andy Murray. Having began so well on serve, it’s just got a little bit scattershot for the Scot, and though Ugo Humbert misses a passing shot at 15-30, he earns another chance to break with a beautifully judged deep backhand.

Just wide! Humbert looks up in frustration having played Murray out of the point but dragged his forehand winner out on the left. Deuce.

Another break opportunity is earned with a deft forehand drop shot. But Murray keeps Humbert at bay to stay alive in the game and, realistically, the set.

But not for long! The double break finally arrives with Humbert increasingly on top.

Andy Murray* 1-3 Ugo Humbert

12:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Humbert backs up the break with a hold to love. Tidy stuff from the Frenchman.

Andy Murray 1-2 Ugo Humbert*

12:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Murray pumps his fist having survived another long-ish rally. But he can’t clinch the game, Humbert taking it back to deuce.

Almost! Humbert an outstanding mover and gets down low for an improbable half-volley that looks set to drop the right side of the net, only for it to drop down off the net cord.

But Humbert earns a second break point soon enough. Can he take this one? A second serve to attack...and a shallow backhand that wrongfoots Murray sees a first break of serve of the match.

Andy Murray 1-1 Ugo Humbert

12:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Humbert gets nice depth on his groundstrokes early in game three, and then draws level at 30-30 with an excellent passing shot after drawing Murray to the net.

Another stiff serve up the centre goes unreturned, with that aspect of the Scot’s game working effectively to keep him out of danger so far, and it looks like a third ace of the match follows to secure the game, only for Humbert to challenge successfully. Deuce.

A chance for Humbert - a slice backhand into the net from Murray and a break point. But that’s a fine response from Murray, tugging a meaty forehand across court from behind the baseline for a vital winner. On we go.

Andy Murray 1-1 Ugo Humbert

12:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ugo Humbert shows off the whip in his forehand, deftly changing the angle on point of contact to beat Murray down the line and go to 30-0 in his first service game.

A curious moment at 40-0 sees Murray watch a wide serve go by, only for it to be called in. The Scot looks perplexed, but that’s the game, and one apiece.

Andy Murray 1-0 Ugo Humbert

12:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Murray wins the first rally of the match, though, to level proceedings up, and then slams an ace up the centre.

Humbert attempts to climb into another big forehand but finds the net, and another unreturned serve gives Murray the first game.

Andy Murray 0-0 Ugo Humbert

12:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A clip of the net sends Andy Murray’s first serve spinning out, and Ugo Humbert goes on the attack immediately, slapping the second serve across court with a punchy forehand. First point to the Frenchman.

Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert LIVE: Dubai tennis score and latest updates

12:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Andy Murray wins the toss and elects to serve on a gorgeous afternoon in the UAE.

Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert LIVE: Dubai tennis score and latest updates

12:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The stands are pretty sparsely populated in Dubai but there’s still a nice reception for Andy Murray as he strides out into the sunshine. A few cheers for Ugo Humbert, too.

Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert LIVE: Dubai tennis score and latest updates

12:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right - it’s go time for Andy Murray and Ugo Humbert on centre court. Will Murray’s 501st hard court win arrive this afternoon?

Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert LIVE: Dubai tennis score and latest updates

11:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And with have a second quarter finalist in Dubai, Alexander Bublik through in straight sets (7-6, 7-6) against Tallon Griekspoor. The Kazakh will play Jiri Lehecka or Karen Khachanov next.

Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert LIVE: Dubai tennis score and latest updates

11:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ugo Humbert feels like the sort of player who could enjoy a breakthrough year on the court. There’s a lot to like about the Frenchman’s game and that title in Marseille earlier this month should give him plenty of confidence over the next couple of months.

Humbert benefitted from some emergency coaching of his girlfriend, Tessah Andrianjafitrimo, in Provence with regular coach Jeremy Chardy unable to attend the event - and Tessah’s top tips seemed to work.

“She’s a player and she’s injured now. But Jeremy was not in Marseille, so I said to her, ‘OK, this week you are my coach’,” Humbert told ATPTour.com of the WTA player’s help. “She gave me a lot of confidence because when I arrived, I was not really confident after a bad week of practice. But during the matches, she was so focused on what I had to do. She’s so positive on the court and I felt she made me really relaxed.”

Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert LIVE: Dubai tennis score and latest updates

11:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It has been suggested that Murray could look to bow out from tennis at Wimbledon this summer, but comments made by the veteran this morning hint that he is willing to play beyond the grass court event. Murray indicated on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme this morning that he hoped to feature at Paris 2024 in August.

“Hopefully I can get the chance to compete at another one,” Murray said when asked about the Olympics, having won back-to-back singles golds in London and Rio de Janeiro, plus a mixed doubles silver on home soil in 2012.

Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert LIVE: Dubai tennis score and latest updates

11:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Solid stuff from Andrey Rublev, then, to progress to the quarter-finals. He’ll face the winner of the match between Sebastian Korda and Botic van de Zandschulp, who meet a little later on Court One.

But it’s almost Andy Murray time as the Scot looks to build on that encouraging win over Denis Shapovalov. Another leftie for Murray to contend with - Gael Monfils pushed Humbert hard yesterday, and you feel an extra day of rest may just be helpful for the three-time grand slam champion.

Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert LIVE: Dubai tennis score and latest updates

11:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Game, set and match!

Well played Andrey Rublev, who defeats Arthur Cazaux 6-4 6-4 in just 74 minutes to advance to the next round.

It means Andy Murray’s match against Ugo Humbert will be on next, and will start at the previously stated time of 12pm GMT.

Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert LIVE: Dubai tennis score and latest updates

11:24 , Jamie Braidwood

Can Andy Murray secure back-to-back wins today?

It’s been a long time since he’s backed up a first-round victory at a tournament.

In fact, you have to go back to August 2023, where Murray reached the third round in Toronto after beating Lorenzo Sonego and Max Purcell.

Murray was set to play Jannik Sinner in the third round but withdrew from the tournament before the match.

Since then, Murray’s record has been won 6- lost 11, and consecutive wins have proved elusive.

Does that change today?

Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert LIVE: Dubai tennis score and latest updates

11:02 , Jamie Braidwood

Andy Murray’s matches are getting longer the older he gets!

According to Matthew Willis on Twitter/X, Murray’s matches in 2024 have lasted an average of 146 mins, which is up from 2023.

It’s also significantly above the average match time for top-50 players.

Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert LIVE: Dubai tennis score and latest updates

10:41 , Jamie Braidwood

Ugo Humbert cracked the top-20 in the world rankings with his title in Marseille earlier this month.

He defeated Grigor Dimitrov in the final to claim his fifth ATP Tour title, where he also claimed an impressive win over Hubert Hurkacz in the semi-finals.

The 25-year-old Frenchman has form on his side, which is not what you can say about Murray.

Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert LIVE: Dubai tennis score and latest updates

10:21 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray and Humbert have played twice before - with the Briton winning both meetings in three sets on hard courts.

They last played in 2021, with Murray coming from a set down to defeat the Frenchman in Metz.

Murray also came from a set down to beat Humbert in Antwerp in 2019.

Humbert, a left-hander comes into their third match at a career-high ranking of 18, however.

Andy Murray eyes fresh momentum after bringing up milestone with victory in Dubai

09:50 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray’s fifth-round win was his 500th on a hard court, becoming only the fifth player in men’s tennis history to reach that figure.

The other four are Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal.

Not bad company.

Carlos Alcaraz faces injury worry after retiring at Rio Open

09:35 , Jack Rathborn

World No 2 Carlos Alcaraz faces an injury concern after injurying his ankle and sustaining an injury that forced him to retire from his Rio Open first-round match against Thiago Monteiro.

Alcaraz needed medical attention after twisting his right ankle on the second point of the contest but the 20-year-old returned to the court a little later with heavy strapping.

He played through the pain and managed to break Brazilian Monteiro’s serve but retired after being broken in the next game as the match ended with the score at 1-1.

“Tomorrow I’ll have a test for my ankle and let’s see if it’s something serious or not,” Alcaraz told reporters. “I felt bad. That was the first impression I had. I was feeling pain once I fell down, so I thought it was going to be difficult to continue if I was still having those feelings.”

Carlos Alcaraz faces injury worry after retiring at Rio Open

Jack Draper avenges Australian Open defeat with Mexican win over Tommy Paul

09:20 , Jack Rathborn

Jack Draper avenged his Australian Open defeat to Tommy Paul to book a place in the last 16 of the Mexican Open.

The British No 3 raced through the first set against the seventh seed, winning 6-0 in just over half an hour. But the American, who beat Draper in the second round in Melbourne after losing their two previous meetings, proved stiffer proposition in the second set.

Games remained on serve until Draper cashed in on his second break point to win 6-4.

Dan Evans could not capitalise on a fast start as he went down 6-2 5-7 6-7 to world No 17 Ben Shelton. The British No 2 won the first set 6-2, but dropped the second as the American converted his first break point of the match to claim the set.

Jack Draper avenges Australian Open defeat with Mexican Open win over Tommy Paul

Andy Murray drops retirement hint with ‘last few months’ comment after Dubai win

09:05 , Jack Rathborn

Andy Murray has admitted that he may be playing his “last few months” of professional tennis as the 36-year-old continues to hint at a possible retirement.

Speculation over Murray’s future has swirled since a first-round defeat at the Australian Open in January, with the Scot suggesting after the event that he may have made his final appearance in Melbourne.

The 36-year-old has struggled for top form since, but was back closer to his best in an impressive first round win over Denis Shapovalov at the Dubai Open on Monday.

Murray dug deep to battle back and secure a 4-6 7-6 (5) 6-3 over the Canadian, setting up a second round encounter with either Gael Monfils or Ugo Humbert.

Andy Murray drops retirement hint with ‘last few months’ comment after Dubai win

What time is Andy Murray v Ugo Humbert? How to watch Dubai Open match online and on TV

09:04 , Jack Rathborn

Andy Murray will look to make it back-to-back wins for the first time in 2024 when he takes on Ugo Humbert in the last-16 of the Dubai Open on Wednesday.

Murray has struggled for form so far in 2024 but battled past former top-10 player Denis Shapovalov in the first round at the start of the week.

After the match, the three-time Grand Slam champion conceded he may be playing his “last few months” of professional tennis, with his retirement from the sport looming large.

The Scot will have his work cut out for him in the last 16 as he takes on world no. 18 Humbert, although he has won his two previous encounters against the Frenchman, who beat fellow countryman Gael Monfils to reach this stage.