Daniell and Oswald beaten in first round at Miami Open

Marcus Daniell and his Austrian partner Philipp Oswald have suffered a first-round exit at the Miami Open ATP Masters 100 tournament.

The Kiwi Austrian combination have been beaten in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 in 1 hour 15 by fifth seeds, Britain’s Jamie Murray, and Brazil’s Bruno Soares.

It was always going to be a difficult assignment for Daniell and Oswald and so it proved. The only break in the first set came in the fifth game when some terrific returning from Soares saw Oswald broken. Murray and Soares comfortably served out the set.

The second set was closer, Daniell had a great chance to break Soares in the fourth game when on deciding point he hit a forehand return just long. Just as in the first set Oswald was the man broken, again superb returning from Soares proved the difference.

Daniell had another chance to break in the Brazilian’s next service game at 4-3 but his return of serve was volleyed away for the winner by Murray. The Kiwi then held before Murray attempted to serve out the match. Some strong returning from Oswald and Daniell at the Scott in trouble at 30-40. The teams played the point of the match with Daniell and Oswald having numerous attempts to pass but Murray and Soares held firm at the net to get to deuce and then Murray served an ace on match point to secure the win.