Abby Brammell

By Mike Dickson

Done and dusted: Andy Murray crashed out of the French Open at the hands of Tomas Berdych


Andy Murray descended into a gurning, grievance-filled mess last night when he turned in a horrible performance at the French Open that perfectly matched the prevailing conditions of a wretched evening.

Paris in the springtime continues to do a good impression of a wet weekend in Bognor, and as the light closed in, Murray looked like he would simply love to be anywhere else, falling to a rain-interrupted 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 defeat against world No 17 Tomas Berdych.

The strapping Czech, 24, not only thoroughly deserved his victory, he also handled the unsatisfactory circumstances of a match completed in deep gloom on a surface that had deteriorated in the rain. While Murray struggled to keep a lid on his seething frustration, Berdych calmly played the hand that the elements dealt and was rewarded for his controlled aggression.

The Scot did have a point about the surface which, when the rain came at 3-4 in the second set - in the midst of his best spell - was left uncovered for too long. When they returned it was sticky in parts, leading Murray to cry out: 'How can I play if I can't stand up on this ******* court?' That happened in the 11th game of the second set and he was duly broken.

Despite trying to play more postively he quickly unravelled from 3-2 up in the third, with the temporary sanctuary of an overnight break possible if only he could secure one more game. It was all over at 9.35pm in light that was barely playable.

Murray said: 'I can't make excuses because it was the same for both players, but they were tough conditions.

The ball was brown by the end and covered in clay. They had put a lot of clay down and it was slippery beyond the baseline. I got Garrosmyself back into it but then didn't take my chances.'


Focused: Tomas Berdych, who last met Murray four years ago, dismantled the Scot 6-4, 7-5, 6-3


Berdych did not spare Murray's feelings, saying: 'He didn't give me too much pressure in the rallies, I was comfortable. My coach told me when play was suspended that he looked like he didn't want to play.'

With Russian nearly man Mikhail Youzhny the quarter-final opponent this was a real opportunity spurned for the world No 4 to reach his first semi-final at Roland Garros and justify his policy of placing emphasis on the major tournaments.

As it is, he has fallen short of his last-eight appearance here of 12 months ago, wasting a chance of real progress that he earned by coming through his nasty first-round draw of Richard Gasquet.

There were shades in this of Murray's defeats at the Grand Slams last year, of him failing to be pro-active enough against a big hitter in prime form and wilting under the assault. Too many balls were left short against a player who slams it deep and flat. Berdych was only too happy to accept the invitation to run round his backhand and drive the ball into the corners.


Out of reach: A frustrated Murray found it tough going on the Philippe Chatrier court


You have to wonder who Murray is listening to, his full-time coach Miles Maclagan, his consultant Alex Corretja or just himself. Whoever, there was a lack of shape to a clay-court season which, like much else since making the Australian Open final in January, has largely turned out to be a dud.

Murray again found himself on the late shift due to the French Open policy of providing ticket-holders on the two main courts with four singles matches for the first nine days. Wimbledon promises three singles and fills the schedule up with doubles if necessary.

Yesterday, no singles match was programmed for the third arena, but still the two players were obliged to wait until 6.35pm before starting. Berdych is a sweet timer of the ball and was constantly putting pressure on the Murray serve, deservedly breaking him for 4-3 in the first set.

The Scot broke back after going behind early in the second, but even then he looked to be finding the experience as much fun as having his teeth pulled.


Ugly mood: Andy Murray pulls a face as his hopes of reaching the quarter-final in Paris disintegrate at the hands of Tomas Berdych


Roger Federer's progress to the quarter-final was serene, although things will get much tougher as he faces Sweden's seventh seed Robin Soderling, the man who he beat in the final last year but who has improved since. The huge-hitting baseliner beat Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams were the two big-name women's casualties, although as this is their least favourite surface none of them could be considered a major upset, especially the Russian, who was tackling former champion Justine Henin.





source: dailymail