Madrid Open: Andy Murray pulls out of clash with Novak Djokovic due to food poisoning

Andy Murray has withdrawn from his blockbuster clash with Novak Djokovic at the Madrid Open due to a bout of food poisoning.

Murray and Djokovic were booked to go head-to-head for the first time in five years, but fans were robbed of the eagerly anticipated showdown because of illness.

Ranked 78th in the world, the 34-year-old Scot had been in top form on the clay courts, defeating Dominic Thiem and Denis Shapovalov as he worked his way back to fitness following hip surgery in 2018 and 2019.

“Unfortunately, Andy Murray is unable to take to the Manolo Santana Stadium due to illness,” tournament organisers said in a statement on social media. “Instead, Andrey Rublev and Daniel Evans will open the day’s play on centre court.”

Murray had arrived in Madrid with a 10-8 record in eight tournaments. But Djokovic now advances to the quarter-finals – his second of the year – after losing in the final at the Serbia Open last month.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal defeated David Goffin and set up an all-Spanish quarter-final with a tantalising clash against 19-year-old prodigy Carlos Alcaraz.

Ranked No 7, Alcaraz became the youngest top-10-ranked male tennis player since Nadal himself 17 years ago, after the teenager won the Barcelona Open in April. Should he beat Nadal, he will rise to No 6.

“I lost twice against him and I wanted to play against him the third time,” Alcaraz said of the marquee match-up.

“I think it’s going to be different from last year [in Madrid] and the last match that we played [in Indian Wells]. I’m excited to play against Rafa here in Madrid in front of the Spanish crowd. It’s going to be a great day and a great match.”