ANDY Murray suffered a shock early exit at the AEGON Championships as he was beaten in three sets by Nicolas Mahut of France in the second round. Murray, the defending champion at Queen’s Club, lost 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (1-7) as his preparations for Wimbledon suffered a sizeable and unexpected knock.Playing his first grass court match of the season, there was no sign of the struggle that was to come early on for Murray as he flew out of the traps, gaining two break points in the first game as a result of some powerful tennis.Mahut showed remarkable resolve to see off the threat, however, winning both points despite the presence of a hugely partisan crowd on centre.Murray took the fifth game to deuce after Mahut double-faulted, but the Frenchman recovered to win the game.Mahut saved a break point in the fifth game when Murray carelessly flashed a forehand wide and the match tensely went with serve, leaving Murray to stay in the match at 4-5.The game went to deuce after a great backhand return from Mahut but the favourite stayed strong. Mahut then held to love, leaving Murray once again serving for survival.The Scot’s experience shone through as he held to love to bring up a deciding tie-break, but he went to pieces in the showdown, losing six straight points before he netted a backhand slice to bow out of the tournament.
