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Murray reflects on missed opportunities


 

Originally published on: 07/06/12 00:00

Andy Murray may have bowed out in the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam he finds the most challenging of all, but his 6-4 6-7 6-3 6-2 defeat to David Ferrer is no great disaster given the back injury that has troubled him throughout.

It’s only the first time since the 2010 US Open, when he fell to Stanislas Wawrinka in the third round, that the Scot has failed to make at least the semi-final of one of the four major tournaments. But a loss to the Spanish terrier, who Murray later admitted completes a semi-final line up of the world’s best on clay, is no great disgrace.

"I thought I played some good tennis tonight," Murray reflected. "I had a lot of chances in the last couple of sets on his serve and I lost a lot of really long games on my serve, which didn't help. He is so solid, so consistent, that if you're not converting your opportunities, it turns to many long games and then the pressure can build on your own serve."

Ferrer capitalised on his opportunities where Murray failed and moves through to the last four for the first time on his 10th attempt in Paris, following quarter-final exits in 2005 and 2008.

The 30-year-old Valencian faces the daunting task of taking down Rafael Nadal, against whom he took just seven games in their only other meeting at Roland Garros in 2005. The Spanish pair have faced off on 19 occasions, with the world No.2 winning 15 of those encounters.

In his favour, Ferrer has beaten Nadal in two of their three Grand Slam meetings – at the 2007 US Open and at the 2011 Australian Open, when Nadal refused to retire despite struggling with injury.

Murray, meanwhile, is still expected to head to Queen's to begin his grass court preparations on Monday despite suggestions he might pull out of the event. 

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.