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Crunch time for Murray

Andy Murray has failed to win a title in 2010 © Getty Images

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After a final defeat that encapsulated Andy Murray's season, the British No. 1 now heads to Toronto as he looks to get his 2010 campaign back on track.

On Sunday night in Los Angeles, Sam Querrey won his fourth title of the year at the Farmers Classic, while Murray failed to win his first. At times the top seed showed glimpses of his best tennis, while at other points he appeared to lose his focus completely, squandering match point as he fell to a 5-7 7-6(2) 6-3 defeat.

After a relatively low-key return to action in Los Angeles, the next six weeks are crucial for Murray, who will have one eye on the US Open, and another shot at winning his maiden Grand Slam title.

It is critical that he hits the ground running on his best surface, taking a leaf out of Rafael Nadal's book, as the Spaniard found his form in the lead-up to the clay season and reaped the benefits, taking a clean sweep of titles on the red dirt in Europe.

One of the biggest concerns for Murray is lack of match practice. He suffered a dip in form on his return after the Australian Open, and now he is back in action after a break following Wimbledon. While his first title of the year may have eluded him, he has got the match practice under his belt that he needs heading into the US Open series.

"It's a lot better playing tournaments of this calibre than practising with my friends in Miami," he said after the final on Sunday.

Murray begins the defence of his Rogers Cup title in Toronto next week © Getty Images

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Murray showed glimpses of his scintillating best at the Farmers Classic, but he was a long way from the form that saw him reach the Australian Open final in January. The Scot needs to step it up a gear at the Rogers Cup next week, and the defence of his title would be a great way to build on Sunday's final appearance and get his US Open campaign up and running.

It is a key point in the season for Murray. A year ago he had four titles to his name and he won his fifth in Toronto. Last season Murray reached seven finals, winning six of them. This year he has reached two, and has lost them both.

So far this year Murray has failed to defend four titles - two due to non-attendance in Doha and Rotterdam, and two against the same man. He failed spectacularly to defend his Miami title, losing to Mardy Fish in straight sets in his opening match in Miami, and lost again against Fish during the defence of his Queen's title.

It remains to be seen whether Murray's decision to part company with his coach of two-and-a-half years Miles Maclagan will pay off. He will be without a full-time coach for the US Open, and it could prove to be a good move - as they say, a change is as good as a rest - and a rejuvenated, raring-to-go Murray could be just what the doctor ordered.

But his decision comes just at the time when he needs to rediscover the winning mentality he enjoyed under Maclagan last season. More worrying than any rustiness that Murray may have ironed out of his game from Los Angeles is his mental fitness.

Regardless of his physical condition, Murray would have expected to close out the match against Querrey. Against a man he has never lost to in four previous meetings, a player of Murray's calibre would be expected to grab match point.

Regardless of how fit and match-ready a player is, having the killer instinct on match point is not something that should completely desert Murray. With 14 titles to his name, he knows how to win tournaments.

Murray's split with Maclagan may be something deeper rooted than the simple need for a fresh start, but his timing seems to be out of kilter. With two Masters tournaments and the US Open on the horizon, ditching the coach who has guided you to two Grand Slam finals seems misguided.

If Murray fails to rediscover the winning formula anytime soon, he is in danger of surrendering his world No. 4 spot - with the likes of Nikolay Davydenko, Robin Soderling and Juan Martin del Potro breathing down his neck. A victory in Canada could be perfect timing.

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