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Andy Murray arrived here as one of the favourites for the US Open but will fly home trying to figure out why fatigue and a host of injuries saw him put in his worst Grand Slam performance since early 2008.
The world No4 was at a loss to explain why he felt so lethargic during his 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3 third-round defeat to Stanislas Wawrinka last night.
Murray needed two medical time-outs so his thigh could be treated and also complained of pain in his back, neck and eyes.
After almost four hours of inconsistent tennis
the British No1 was left to reflect on his earliest exit at a Slam since a first-round defeat to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the 2008 Australian Open.
How far the injuries undermined him against the Swiss is unclear given he cannot explain how he lost so badly. There are also concerns over Murray's left wrist which still gives him problems a year after he complained of pain when Marin Cilic beat him in straights sets here.
The Scot went out a round earlier this year sensing he was short of energy and said: “I haven't felt that way for a few years. I'm going to have to look at why that was the case and try and get better.
“I had a chance to win the second and didn't take it. I tried to find a way to come back but didn't quite do it. I haven't been in that position for a long time and maybe frustration had something to do with it. I felt like my chance of doing well here was slipping away.
“I am going to go home to have a rest because I need it and see what I decide to do after that.
“I will speak to all the guys I work with and see what's gone well this year, what hasn't gone so well. This is the one match in the majors that I lost that I probably should have won.”
Murray's body language was negative for large parts of a match that he really should have wrapped up in straight sets — despite various irritations with his body and in his mind.
The signs that Murray had regressed into the sulky young man with anger issues who burst onto the scene in 2005, came as early as the fifth game when he punched the strings of his racket so hard it drew blood from his knuckles.
A rest is not the only thing Murray needs as he is still searching for a new coach to help him finish a year that started impressively with him reaching the final of the Australian Open.
He made the last four at Wimbledon and despite sacking coach Miles Maclagen three weeks later, he then won the Toronto Masters to ensure he arrived in New York as one of the favourites.
All the hard work training in Miami, though, counted for nothing against Wawrinka, a player Murray had beaten in five of their last six meetings.
The world No25 needed treatment for a leg problem mid-way through a contest that, with so many injuries, became increasingly bizarre.
Wawrinka took heart from his ability to deal with his own problem and the negative vibes being given off by his good friend on the other side of the net.
He said: “I have the feeling he was a little bit injured. He was not feeling okay. So I was trying to stay aggressive and to make him run a lot. All of my game was pretty good and it was one of the best matches I've had.”
Wawrinka now plays American 20th seed Sam Querrey, who reached the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Spain's Nicolas Almagro.
Reader views (1)
he just choked..., again. all players have injuries and battle through it. look at nadal last year with his bad knees. although he was beaten he never stopped playing hard. murray just needs a paper cut and he starts whining. he should look for a psychiatrist as well as a coach. he is a head case and head cases never make it as champions.
- monty haynes, London, 06/09/2010 12:47
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