(Tennis news) With a 5-7 1-4 deficit on Monday, the 37-year-old was seemingly certain to lose, but an unusual combination of rain and pollen caused the game to be called off for the evening.

But when play got back underway on Tuesday, Murray was defeated 5-7 2-6 by the German on the clay, so there would be no spectacular comeback from the three-time major winner.

Murray had lost serve after double-faulting twice, but he held to 15 while serving to remain in the match on Monday, just before the heavens opened and the odd pollen storm brought the match to an end.

An unforced error on Hanfmann’s first match point kept Murray clinging on, but the German rectified that mistake with an ace – just his fourth of the contest – on match point number two to advance to the round of 16.

Hanfmann’s reward will be a daunting clash with world number one Novak Djokovic, having denied Murray a reunion with the man he defeated in the 2013 Wimbledon final, and the 37-year-old was one of two Brits to bow out on Tuesday.

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