Beaten Andy buoyed by clay performances
Andy Murray insisted he can take positives from his first wins on clay for almost two years, despite crashing to a chastening defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Andy Murray insisted he can take positives from his first wins on clay for almost two years, despite crashing to a chastening defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Monte Carlo Masters.
The RBS-sponsored British number one, who missed virtually the entire clay-court season last year with a wrist injury, made it to round three of the ATP Masters Series event before being beaten 6-0, 6-4.
"I felt I was understanding how to play a little bit better on clay," he said. "I did a lot of things well, which gives me a bit of confidence for the rest of the clay-court season. But I was still disappointed with how I played."
Murray accounted for Feliciano Lopez and Filippo Volandri in straight sets to reach the last 16. But he failed to make an impression against Djokovic as his fellow 20-year-old powered through the first set. Despite being a break up in the second set, Murray was unable to retrieve the situation.
He added: "Normally, my groundstrokes are pretty consistent but I hit about four winners and about 25 or 30 unforced errors, which isn't good enough against a player like Novak."
World number three Djokovic went on to reach the semi-finals but was forced to retire with illness during his clash with Roger Federer.
The title was eventually won by Rafael Nadal, who became the first player since 1914 to win four consecutive Monte Carlo titles with a 7-5, 7-5 win over Federer.
Meanwhile, Jamie Murray and doubles partner Max Mirnyi were beaten 6-3, 6-3 by Marcin Matkowski and Mariusz Fyrstenberg in their opening match of the doubles.
The Polish duo needed just one break of Murray's serve in the fourth game to win the first set and although they were 3-1 down in the second, they reeled off five consecutive games to book their place in the last 16.
Murray said afterwards: "It was our first match together on clay and we are disappointed we didn't take our chances after breaking early in the second set.
"The Poles hit big on serve and off the ground and we weren't sharp enough on return or at the net."
