Tennis-Marathon man Murray runs out of steam against Bautista Agut

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 21, 2023 Britain's Andy Murray in action during his third round match against Spain's Roberto Bautista-Agut REUTERS/Sandra Sanders

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Andy Murray's brave Australian Open run ground to a halt against Roberto Bautista Agut, the Spaniard fending off the fatigued former world number one 6-1 6-7(7) 6-3 6-4 in the third round to advance on Saturday.

After back-to-back five-set wins over Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis, a ragged Murray hung tough against the 24th seed but was gradually worn down over the course of the three-and-a-half hour slog at a floodlit Margaret Court Arena.