Australian Open 2019: Andy Murray vs Roberto Bautista Agut: Where to watch & live stream details

A sombre-looking Murray talks to the media while announcing his decision to retire — A

Had this been the heyday of Andy Murray, it wouldn’t have been difficult to predict the winner of this Australian Open 2019 first round clash between the Scot and Roberto Bautista Agut to be held on Monday. Times have changed now and this could very well turn out to be the three-time Grand Slam champion’s swansong, which is why this match will be the cynosure of all eyes on the opening day of the season’s first Major.

After a prolonged battle with his right hip, the erstwhile World No. 1 has now slipped to the 230th rung in the world rankings. While tennis aficionados hoped to see a stunning comeback from the five-time Australian Open runner-up this year, the Briton sent shock waves through Melbourne Park by announcing his decision to retire this year.

A surgery last year hasn’t managed to alleviate the pain that he was suffering from in what he has self-admittedly called a "severely damaged right hip". The two-time Wimbledon champion fears that this could thus be his last tournament even though he hopes to bid adieu to the sport that has given him so much on the hallowed lawns of SW19.

In such a situation, Agut is the last opponent that Murray would have liked to face. The Spaniard, placed at No. 23 currently, played the tournament of his life at Doha in the run-up to the Australian Open. With wins over World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych, Agut has looked every bit a world beater who could shake up the draw in Melbourne.

Murray’s movement would be severely tested in this face-off. He has never lost to Agut before, nor has he even dropped a set. But with his fitness compromised, this might just embolden the Spaniard to turn the tables on his great rival for the very first time in his career.