Final month Murray admitted he was in a “horrible second” however stated he “will not stop” in response to an article which questioned when the Scot ought to retire.
Towards Czech Machac, 23, he was damaged in his second serve sport and, having recovered to 5-5, gifted his opponent one other break for 6-5 with a double fault and backhand error.
Murray misplaced his serve once more early within the second and missed a chance to interrupt again at 3-2 earlier than Machac comfortably closed out one of many largest wins of his profession.
Elsewhere in Abu Dhabi, Naomi Osaka’s comeback was halted by one other first-round defeat as she misplaced 7-5 6-0 to American Danielle Collins.
The Japanese former world primary returned final month after giving delivery in 2023, however struggled after shedding a decent first set.
Osaka gained her first match again on the Brisbane Worldwide at the beginning of January however has misplaced her three matches since, together with towards Caroline Garcia within the Australian Open first spherical.
“I do know she’s nonetheless solely a few matches into her comeback,” stated Collins, who’s presently ranked 71st on the planet.
“However I feel she’s enjoying properly.
“She performed a great first set and was serving very properly and performing some actually nice issues out on courtroom.
“I am certain at this level it is simply type of regaining confidence and getting extra matches underneath her belt and getting again into the routine of tournaments and that stuff, which could be difficult. However I assumed she performed properly general.”
Britain’s Harriet Dart progressed to the second spherical of the Transylvanian Open with a 6-4 7-6 (7-0) win over Hungarian Anna Bondar.
