Andy Murray's hopes of a deep run at this year's Australian Open were ended by Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel in straight sets in Melbourne on Thursday.
Murray struggled for sharpness against a tenacious and mobile opponent in world No 120 Daniel and fell to a surprise 6-4 6-4 6-4 defeat.
Murray cut a dejected figure in his post-match press conference, saying: "I'm really, really disappointed. Very frustrated. A tough loss for me that's for sure."
The 34-year-old questioned his future after losing in the third round of Wimbledon last year and it was on his mind again here.
Asked if he plans to be back in Melbourne next year, Murray said: "I mean, yeah. But not if I do what I did tonight too often this season.
"This is a really important year for me for a number of reasons and I want to perform well in the big events. For me, tonight is not good enough in that respect.
"Making second rounds of slams is not something I find particularly motivating. I want to be doing better than that. It depends on how I get on this year results wise and how I perform in the big events."
Murray, who marked his return to Melbourne Park in typically-dramatic fashion by defeating Nikoloz Basilashvili in five sets, took on a much-less fearsome opponent in Daniel.
The Japanese qualifier took only five games off Murray in three sets in their only previous meeting in Davis Cup in 2016, but Murray, whose heavy workload also included reaching the final of the ATP Tour event in Sydney at the weekend, began sluggishly and was unable to turn the tide in his favour.
He had never lost to a player ranked outside the top 100 at a Grand Slam, with then world No 91 Arnaud Clement the previous lowest in the second round of the US Open back in 2005.
Murray was unable to hit through his opponent during the opening set and, although he retrieved an early break, Daniel quickly secured another one.
Four break points came and went in the second game of the second set - Murray took only two of 11 in the match - and again it was Daniel that came up with the answers at the big moments.
Murray did finally move ahead early in the third but surrendered his advantage straight away before Daniel broke to lead 5-4.
Murray received a warning for slamming his racket angrily to the court, and Daniel clinched his second match point to move through to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
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Evans gets a walkover; Watson bows out
Dan Evans was given a free passage through to the third round when opponent Arthur Rinderknech withdrew.
Evans had been due to take on the Frenchman at Melbourne Park on Thursday but received a walkover prior to the start of play.
Rinderknech's withdrawal due to a wrist injury means Evans, who comfortably beat David Goffin in round one, is through to the last 32 in Melbourne for the first time since 2017, when he made the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the first time.
He will face either ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada or Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Saturday.
British No 2 Heather Watson went down to a tight 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 defeat to 29th seed Tamara Zidansek.
Watson lost a very close match against Zidansek in Adelaide last week, and there was little to choose between the pair again here, but the Slovenian was a bit more solid at the big moments.
Watson twice fought back from a break down in the opening set and had a set point at 5-6 but Zidansek saved it, played a strong tie-break and then broke the Watson serve twice in succession to claim the victory.
"I was happy with my effort and my fight and my focus," said Watson, who has moved her training base to Bolton Arena while boyfriend Courtney Duffus plays football for Morecambe.
"I can't wait to play the next tournament. I feel ready to go. I want to keep working hard, keep my fitness up, and I'm looking forward to this year."
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