- Andy Murray lost to Grigor Dimitrov in the first round of the Brisbane International
- The ex-British number 1 won the opening set before the Bulgarian took control
- It comes as a blow to Murray's preparations ahead of the Australian Open
Andy Murray's preparations for the Australian Open suffered a setback after a frustrating first-round loss to second seed Grigor Dimitrov at the Brisbane International.
The unseeded Scot was on course to progress after winning the opening set of a thrilling battle between two former tournament champions at the Pat Rafter Arena.
But Dimitrov hit back to open a 4-6 7-5 6-2 lead and hand Murray another early exit after his second round victory when the pair met at the US Open last year.
The world number 14 will face Australian qualifier Li Tu or German Daniel Altmaier in the second round.
Murray was playing his first competitive singles match since a first-round loss to Alex de Minaur at the Paris Masters in late October, after a shoulder injury prevented him from representing Great Britain in the Davis Cup final.
Andy Murray was dumped out of the first round of the Brisbane International after a three-set defeat to Grigor Dimitrov
Dimitrov came from behind to defeat Murray in three sets to advance to the second round of the competition
Murray played his first competitive singles match since a first-round loss to Alex de Minaur at the Paris Masters in late October
The 36-year-old initially impressed in a close encounter that held on serve until he took advantage of an error-strewn 10th game from his opponent to clinch the opening set.
But Dimitrov responded calmly to force a decider by taking the lead in a more chaotic second set, which ended with both players struggling to hold serve.
The Bulgarian's attempts to level were helped by saving a crucial break point with a stunning baseline smash while playing with a broken string.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Murray was visibly irritated by the momentum shift and offered little resistance in a relatively one-sided final set as Dimitrov won in just under two and a half hours.