Andy Murray Falls to Qualifier at Rome Masters

Andy Murray, having reached his first ever clay-court tournament semi-final in Monte Carlo earlier in the month, found life altogether tougher here at the Foro Italico. There seemed no semblance of the trouble ahead when he rushed through the opening set in just over half an hour, but thereafter life became a real struggle as he lost his second round match in the Rome Masters 1–6, 6–3, 7–5 against the Argentine qualifier, Juan Mónaco.

Murray felt the changing conditions had played a significant part. He had been due to play on Tuesday but rain led to a postponement. Under bright skies Murray dominated the opening set, perfectly at ease against an opponent who missed a large chunk of last year with pneumonia. "The courts were still heavy and damp as the start, but as they dried out he was able to dictate the play," said Murray, although it was not a particularly convincing argument.

Murray knew that danger lurked, particularly as Mónaco had won two qualifying matches, and beaten Germany's Nicolas Kiefer in the first round, thereby getting used to the courts. However, the world No4 could hardly have made a better start, and he doubtless knew he had allowed the match to slip away from him.

This was Murray's earliest loss since last year's Beijing Olympics, and he had reached the semi-finals or better in six of the last seven Masters series, winning the titles in Cincinnati, Madrid and Miami, while he also reached the semi-finals of the end of season Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. This success, coupled with him reaching the US Open final, has seen him join Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as the world's current four best players.

In the second set Murray's first serve began to malfunction, and he was broken three times. He had similar problems in the third, although managed to level after being 4–2 down, and then establish a 5–4 lead. "It wasn't my best match but I still came close to winning. I would have liked to have kept the run going, but I knew it would come to an end some time."

Just when it appeared he might have dug himself out of clay hole, Murray lost his serve to love, and a couple of beautifully judged drop shots helped Mónaco to serve the match out after two hours and 40 minutes. "I don't think it was anyone thing in particular, though I didn't feel I hit the ball as cleanly as in Monte Carlo," said Murray.