Cincinnati clash between Karen Khachanov and Andy Murray canceled after both withdraw

Karen Khachanov and Andy Murray were due to square off in a first-round blockbuster at the Western & Southern Open. By Tuesday morning in Cincinnati, both had withdrawn from the outdoor hard-court tournament with ongoing injuries, putting their fitness for the US Open in jeopardy.

Murray was the first to pull out Monday night. Last week, the 36-year-old was unable to take the court for his third-round match in Toronto with Jannik Sinner due to an abdominal strain. That same issue has now prevented the two-time champion from making his 18th appearance in Cincinnati, where his 35 victories are the most of any of the Masters 1000 events he’s contested across his career.

A year ago, Murray edged Stan Wawrinka in the first round before being stopped by compatriot Cam Norrie in a deciding set. In not being able to take the court at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, Murray’s hopes of being seeded at a Grand Slam event have once again been dashed, with the New York major set to kick off on August 28. He is currently ranked No. 36.

Lucky loser Daniel Altmaier replaced the former world No. 1 in the draw and appeared primed to take on Khachanov Tuesday morning. But just before play was due to begin, the No. 11 seed backed out.

Though he had successfully won his doubles opener Sunday alongside Robin Haase, Khachanov has not played a singles match since losing a four-set quarterfinal at Roland Garros to eventual winner Novak Djokovic. A semifinalist at last year’s US Open and this year’s Australian Open, Khachanov has been on the mend from a stress fracture in his back.

Australian Alexei Popyrin, who fell to countryman Max Purcell in the final qualifying round, took the Russian’s spot to face Altmaier.