Jamie falls short in doubles

WHILE Andy Murray progressed to the third round of the singles in Melbourne yesterday, his brother, Jamie Murray, crashed out in the first round of the doubles.

Jamie and his Australian partner Paul Hanley went down 7-6 (7/2), 4-6, 7-6 (7/5) to Julian Knowle and Michael Kohlmann.

The other Britons in doubles action did not fare any better. Liverpudlian Ken Skupski and Belgian Xavier Malisse were beaten 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 by Italian duo Daniele Bracciali and Potito Starace, while Anne Keothavong followed up her singles exit with a first-round defeat in the women’s doubles. Keothavong, who had to retire due to illness after one set of her singles clash with Mona Barthel on Monday, teamed up with the German against Petra Martic and Kristina Mladenovic but they could not stave off a 6-4, 6-7 (7/3), 7-5 defeat.