• US Open

Murray blames defeat on tactical errors

ESPN staff
September 11, 2011
Andy Murray: 'Playing one-two tennis against him doesn't work because he makes too many balls' © PA Photos
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Andy Murray feels he can only bridge the gap to Rafael Nadal if he bulks up further over the next year, and learns to manage matches more shrewdly.

Nadal reached the final of the US Open, where he will play Novak Djokovic on Monday, by beating Murray 6-4 6-2 3-6 6-2 at Flushing Meadows.

It was another dose of grand-slam disappointment for Murray, who has reached the semi-finals of all four majors this year - becoming just the seventh man to do so - but is still searching for a first triumph.

And after losing to Nadal, he was critical of the way he played the match tactically. "I'm disappointed with the way I played in the first two sets," Murray told Sky Sports.

"The third and fourth were better but it wasn't good enough. I don't know if I didn't want to play too many long rallies because I had a long game yesterday but it's the only way to win against him. Playing one-two tennis against him doesn't work because he makes too many balls.

"There are many things I could have done a bit better tonight - but I didn't. He's probably the greatest player to play tennis so it's easy from the sidelines to say how you should play against him.

"I've played many different styles against him and the most success I've had is solid from the baseline, giving it a lot of height up to his backhand. I've just got to improve because it's very disappointing to get close.

"I've lost to him this year a few times in big matches. I just need to keep working on my game and getting physically stronger, that will help."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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