Andy Murray bundled out of Shanghai Masters after first round defeat to Roman Safiullin

Murray, who was handed an early exit from the China Open by Alex De Minaur, lost his opening service game and then missed chances to quickly break back as Safiullin soon moved in to a 2-0 lead.

It was the Russian who then took the next chance to break, which saw him clinch the first set 6-3.

Murray looked to regroup for the second set, but Safiullin – back in action for the first time since he reached the final of the Chengdu Open – remained on the front foot.

Another early break saw the Russian go 2-0 up, and although Murray, who had won the Shanghai tournament three times, quickly broke back, he then failed to hold his serve to hand Safiullin a 3-1 lead.

Former world number one Murray continued to cut a frustrated figure, swearing as another marginal line call went against him in the seventh game.

It appeared only a matter of time before Safiullin would close out victory, and he was gifted a first match point opportunity when Murray sent a routine forehand return into the net.

With Murray having moved up court after his serve, Safiullin sent a deep return, which was called out – but a review showed the ball had dropped just on the very back edge of the baseline.

In the next round, Safiullin will play Alexander Zverev again, the German world number 10 having beaten him over three sets in the final of the Chengdu Open last month.

READ MORE: Jannik Sinner knocks top seed Carlos Alcaraz out of China Open in the semi-final