• China Open

Murray crashes out of China Open

ESPN staff
October 8, 2010
Andy Murray reached the final of the Australian Open this year © Getty Images
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Andy Murray's China Open bid ended in disappointment as he slipped to a 6-3 6-2 defeat to Ivan Ljubicic at the quarter-final stage.

The world No. 4 was last on the Lotus Court, but he could not follow Novak Djokovic, John Isner and David Ferrer into the semi-finals as big-hitting Croatian Ljubicic proved his master.

Murray overcame Albert Montanes despite not being at his best on Thursday, but paid the price for a similar display against Ljubicic. The Scot looked lethargic in the first set and against an opponent who was moving well and hitting the ball cleanly, he paid the price.

There was just one break of serve in the first set but it was enough for the Croat to edge ahead.

Murray, who earlier in the week claimed he had pinpointed areas of his game that need honing, was dealt a hammer blow when dropping his serve at the start of the second set. Against a player who crashed six aces in the first set, it proved fatal.

Ljubicic did not give Murray a look-in on his own serve and crafted a second break in the seventh game of the set when Murray served a double fault and then crashed a forehand into the net.

Murray could not find a response to falling a double break behind and the Ljubicic closed out the match with an excellent rally on match point.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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