Andy Murray’s bid for a third straight Olympic men’s singles gold medal has ended after he withdrew ahead of his first match because of a thigh strain.

The 34-year-old tennis star had been due to take on ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada today, but was replaced on the order of play by Australian Max Purcell.

However, he will continue to compete for Team GB in the men’s doubles tournament with Joe Salisbury.

Murray said: “I am really disappointed at having to withdraw but the medical staff have advised me against playing in both events, so I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the singles and focus on playing doubles with Joe.”

It comes as officials confirmed there had been 10 more confirmed new coronavirus infections, including two athletes, at Tokyo 2020, taking the total number of cases to 137 since 1 July.

Meanwhile, American golfer Bryson DeChambeau tested positive for COVID-19 before his departure for the Games and will be replaced in the US men’s golf team by Patrick Reed, USA Golf said.

DeChambeau said: “I am deeply disappointed not to be able to compete in the Olympics for Team USA.

“Representing my country means the world to me and it is was a tremendous honour to make this team. I wish Team USA the best of luck next week in Tokyo.

“I will now focus on getting healthy, and I look forward to returning to competition once I am cleared to do so.”

Also, the International Olympic Committee has confirmed there will be no relaxation on mask-wearing rules.

Spokesman Mark Adams said: “It’s not a ‘nice to have’, it’s a ‘must to have’.”

He was responding to a question about several swimmers removing their masks during medal ceremonies.

The Olympic teams from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were also mostly maskless when they paraded through the stadium at Friday’s opening ceremony, despite other national teams covering their faces in according with COVID-19 rules.

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