Murray crashes out

In the first set Murray failed to take two set points at 5-4 and then threw in a poor game as the Croatian won it 7-5.

Cilic had the momentum and broke a struggling Murray twice to secure the second set 6-2 and the Scot had no answer as he lost the third 6-2.

Murray had earned a double set point at 5-4 in the first but Cilic cranked out an ace and then came out tops in a rally when the British player netted a backhand.

Cilic broke Murray in the first game of the second set when the Scot missed a forehand, letting out a scream of frustration.

There was worse to come as Murray then gave up three break points on his next serve when he sent a backhand from wide out into the net post and the game was surrendered with a wide and long forehand as the Briton went two breaks down in the second set.

The Briton had come back from two sets to love down at the same stage of last year's tournament to beat Jurgen Melzer en route to his first grand slam final but his hopes of a similar recovery were scuppered almost immediately as Cilic broke him in the opening game.

Cilic was a rock of composure as the game clock passed the two-hour mark and, serving for victory, he quickly moved to match point against the deflated Murray and sealed it with a crunching forehand the Scot could only send long.

Murray now has a long wait until the Australian Open in January, and his next shot at a maiden grand slam success.