Andy Murray proved no match for Daniil Medvedev at the Brisbane International as he crashed out following a 7-5 6-2 second round loss.
The Brit was playing in his first event since the Shenzhen Open in September having decided to end his 2018 campaign early in order to give his hip a proper rest following surgery on the joint at the start of the year.
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The operation resulted in Murray playing in just six events last year but he hopes to be more active in 2019 and made a winning return on Tuesday when getting the better of Australian qualifier James Duckworth.
However, fourth seed Medvedev demonstrated Murray has a long way to go if he wants to add to the three Grand Slam titles he already has to his name.
The power of the 22-year-old gave Murray major issues, the former world No.1 having to work hard just to take the first set to a tie break before the Russian accelerated away from his illustrious opponent in the second set.
Murray joins compatriot Kyle Edmund in bowing out of the Brisbane International at the second round stage, Edmund having suffered a shock loss to Japanese qualifier Yasutaka Uchiyama earlier in the day.
Edmund was seeded third for the Queensland event but never recovered from losing the opening set on a tie break, Uchiyama racing through the second set as he wrapped up a 7-6 6-4 triumph.
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