Reigning champ Murray knocked out of Italian Open

Rome May 17 (IANS) Defending champion Andy Murray was eliminated from the 2017 Italian Open losing 6-2 6-4 to Fabio Fognini in a second round match.

The Scotsman and current world No. 1 took the title in Rome last year without losing a set but has yet to return to top form after coming back from an elbow injury reports Efe news agency.

Italy s Fognini who is ranked 29th in the world was the clear favorite among the crowd at the Campo Centrale on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old underdog broke Murray s serve early and jumped out to a 4-0 lead on the way to winning the first set 6-2.

The 30-year-old Murray trailed 1-4 in the second set before breaking Fognini s serve and battling back to 5-4 but the Italian hung on to win the set and the match.

--IANS
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