Scots star Andy Murray missed the possibility to re-enter the world's prime 100 as he crashed out of the Australian Open within the second spherical.
The Dunblane-born former world No.1 has battled again from hip points that threatened to finish his profession, reaching his first ATP last since 2019 on the Sydney Tennis Basic.
Murray beat Nikoloz Basilashvili in an epic match on the way in which to that last, and repeated the feat on the Australian Open having been granted a wildcard entry.
Beating Japan's Taro Daniel would have seen the previous Wimbledon champion re-enter the world's prime 100 and finish his reliance on these wildcard entries for Grand Slams but it surely proved a match too far for the 34-year-old.
Murray, 5 instances a overwhelmed finalist Down Beneath, dropped solely his second service sport because the world quantity 120 put him on the again foot instantly. Taro is the lowest-ranked opponent ever to beat him at a Grand Slam.
Daniel saved two break factors at 3-4 and went on to wrap up the set 6-4.
Murray lacked the standard variation his sport is thought for and struggled to ask questions of his opponent, who broke once more with three excellent winners early within the second set.
Daniel was in advantageous kind to shut it out with relative ease, however the Scot did not battle again with a steel hip by giving up simply.
A tough-fought third set gave some hope of a basic Murray comeback however an unforced error within the ninth match of the set gave his opponent two break factors.
The Japanese missed with the primary however Murray hit the online within the subsequent rally to depart his Australian Open hanging by a thread.
And Daniel took full benefit to serve out a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win.