RACKET-SMASHING Andy Murray will be forever having nightmares about the Demon following a crazy collapse in China.
The Scot’s equipment took one almighty hammering as he was beaten 6-3 5-7 7-6 by Alex de Minaur in the first round of the China Open in Beijing.
The former world No1 cut a frustrated figure as he squandered THREE match points, taking out his anger on his racket about 10 times across the two-hour and 50-minute rollercoaster tie.
The umpire gave him a code violation when he destroyed one of his rackets in the second set.
But he did not issue any further punishment even when the two-time Wimbledon champion was aggressively letting out his irritations.
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The Australian, 24, fought back from 5-2 down in the third set to prevail in a decisive tie-break in front of a sparse crowd in the Chinese capital.
Murray, 36, has now lost all FIVE of his meetings with De Minaur – nicknamed the Demon for his speed on court – since 2018.
De Minaur, who is dating British star Katie Boulter, will next face either Russian Daniil Medvedev or American Tommy Paul in round two.
Only Novak Djokovic has managed to win more matches in a row against Murray, having prevailed a total of eight times.
De Minaur said: “I don’t know how I did that. We didn’t bring our best levels. It was an absolute scrap-fest.
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“It wasn’t pretty. I am happy to get my first win in a very long time when I have had some match points against me.
“More than anything, it was my attitude. I just told myself to keep trying, keep backing myself.
“Eventually I found my level and I'm very happy I was able to turn that around.
"I bloody hope this turns into a good week. This was a very dramatic match.”
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