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Andy Murray in a state of shock - Source: Reuters -
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Five titles this year and a rise to number two in the rankings
counted for nothing on Wednesday as Andy Murray's hopes of a first
grand slam title were shot down by Marin Cilic in the fourth round
of the US Open.
Murray appeared in control as he held two set points with Cilic
serving at 4-5 down in the first set but the man charged with
ending Britain's interminable wait for a grand slam champion failed
to convert either and he spiralled to a 7-5 6-2 6-2 defeat he
described as the most disappointing of his career.
To make matters worse for the 22-year-old he ended the match with
discomfort in his left wrist, although he admitted his emphatic
defeat had simply come about because his often magical game had not
been up to scratch.
"I had a problem with (the wrist) for a week or so," the
right-hander, who reached the final here last year against Roger
Federer and was widely tipped to go one better this time, told
reporters. "But regardless, I just struggled today. I played
poorly. I'm obviously very disappointed.
"After the way that the last three slams went I felt like I had
actually played well and lost. Today, it didn't feel like that. I
had my chance in the first set and then struggled."
Sixteenth seed Cilic, yet another physically imposing player from
Croatia blessed with a bullet serve, stayed with Murray in the
first set before taking control after surviving his one tricky
moment in the 10th game.
As Murray retreated into his shell, the 20-year-old Cilic steamed
into a 4-0 lead in the second set.
There was no escape, nor hiding place for Murray as his inspired
opponent never flinched in closing out the biggest win of his
career.
Throughout the entire three sets Murray managed just three winners
from the baseline -- a statistic that summed up the subdued nature
of the Scot's tennis.
"Sometimes in individual sports that can happen. That's the tough
thing about it. You don't have any other players or anyone to sort
of hide behind and can sort of cover for you," Murray said. "You
have to take responsibility yourself.
"I think one of the things about me that I've been very good at the
last couple of years is finding ways to get back into the matches
mentally. But today I could have been better in pretty much every
part of the game."
While Murray goes home to check out his wrist, Cilic will face
Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro for a place in the semi-final.
Both are younger than Murray and both appear equally capable of
challenging Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic for major
silverware.
Winning his first slam will not, it seems, be getting easier for
Murray any time soon, although he remains upbeat.
"I think next year I've got a very, very good chance of doing it.
I think I'll be a better player next year."
