Listless Murray shocked at U.S. Open
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 | 12:32 AM ET
CBC Sports
Britain's Andy Murray lunges to return a shot in Tuesday's loss. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images) Andy Murray didn't look at all like the No. 2-ranked player in the world at the U.S. Open on Tuesday, losing 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 to Croatia's Marin Cilic in the fourth round.
Murray, 22, couldn't get into a groove against the 18th-seeded Cilic, who broke the Scot five times in the match.
"I could have been better in pretty much every part of my game, whether it was mental, forehand, backhand, return," Murray said.
Murray failed to break service once — his closest chance came in the first set when he squandered two set points.
Cilic took the set and took advantage of a demoralized Murray, storming ahead 3-0 in the second.
"It was a relief for me to start getting more into the game," Cilic said. "I didn't have to think too much.
"I played good, played tactically well. And he was missing."
Cilic's powerful strokes proved too much for Murray, who struggled with his sore left wrist throughout the match.
"Regardless of my wrist, I lost the match," Murray said. "I returned poorly, he served well and that was really the difference."
Murray, still in search of his first Grand Slam title in men's singles, was touted as a pre-tournament favourite.
"I put pressure on myself to win the tournaments," he said. "It is nice to hear that sometimes from other players or ex-players.
"But it doesn't make a difference who says you're going to win, lose tournaments. That doesn't affect you."
"Next year I have got a very, very good chance of doing it," Murray continued. "I think I will be a better player next year than this year."
Third-seeded Rafael Nadal, trying to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the U.S. Open, rallied to beat No. 13 Gael Monfils of France 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.
With the win, the Spaniard will overtake Murray in next week's ATP Tour rankings.
Also in men's singles, sixth-seeded Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero (24) of Spain 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Chile's Fernando Gonzalez (11) eliminated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (7) of France 3-6 6-3 7-6 6-4.
Daunting Task
Kim Clijsters of Belgium, winner of the U.S. Open in 2005, has the daunting task of trying to unseat defending champion Serena Williams of the United States.
Williams, ranked second, beat 10th-seeded Flavia Pennetta of Italy 6-4, 6-3 to set up a semifinal clash with Clijsters. Williams is the only Top-5 seed left in the women's draw.
"She is obviously someone who plays with a lot of power and is still a great mover. It doesn't mean that you don't get a chance when you get to play her. Every player always has a moment in a match where whether it is either one or two games where they just kind of lose that aggressiveness a little bit or just lose focus. It is up to the other player to feel that and step it up at that time." — Kim Clijsters on Williams
Clijsters cruises into semis
Kim Clijsters of Belgium, back from a brief retirement and competing in her first Grand Slam since 2007, cruised into the semifinals with a 6-2, 6-4 win over China's Na Li (18).
Clijsters, a former champion, is the first unseeded player to reach the semifinals since Elena Dementieva in 2000.
"I'm surprised to be sitting here talking to you right now," Clijsters said.
Li had 41 unforced errors compared to 25 for Clijsters, who broke serve four times.
"I'm glad I got through it again, stayed focused on my game," Clijsters said. "I wanted to be aggressive and I think that's what helped winning those important points today."
Clijsters retired from professional tennis in 2007 and, in that time, was married and had a baby girl.
She last played in the U.S. Open in 2005, when she won the tournament.
"I saw her when she came back in her first tournament," Li said, referring to Clijsters. "I knew she was at a high level.
"She is much stronger than other girls. So I knew if she was going to come back, it must be a strong comeback."
Two more wins and Clijsters will be the first mother to win a Grand Slam since Evonne Goolagong-Cawley captured Wimbledon in 1980.
"I still have an immense respect for all the Grand Slams and the history that has happened in each and every one of them," Clijsters said. "But it is easier now to push that aside when you're out there and just focus on your game and not be too worried or too impressed by everything that is happening around you."
Nestor bounced in doubles
Toronto's Daniel Nestor bowed out in men's doubles as he and partner Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia lost 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-0 to Max Mirnyi of Belarus and Andy Ram from Israel in a rowdy quarter-final match.
Nestor complained to chair umpire Lynn Welch for not controlling the vocal fans supporting the Mirnyi and Ram at a sparsely populated Grandstand Stadium.
"Your job is to say something," Nestor told Welch.
"This is not Davis Cup. There is something called sportsmanship."
Nestor later exchanged barbs with Ram over an unruly fan.
"I don't mind losing if we get beat," Nestor said. "But not losing if some guy in the crowd is acting like a jackass.
'I remember him from Cincinnati last year making the same kind of noises and clapping between serves."
With files from The Associated Press
