Murray, Wawrinka out of Monte Carlo

Nadal on fire, Nole struggles

MONTE CARLO, Principality of Monaco, April 20, (Agencies): Andy Murray surrendered a 4-0 lead in the decisive third set on his way to defeat at the Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday as the world number one’s 2017 season hit another setback. Spain Albert Ramos Vinolas hits a return to Britain Andy Murray during their Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series tennis tournament on April 20,

in Monaco. (AFP)

Murray suffered a shock thirdround loss to Spain’s 15th seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 in more than two and a half hours.

Former French Open champion Stan Wawrinka was also routed, with the Swiss third seed losing to Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay 6-4, 6-4.

Ramos-Vinolas toppled Scottish top seed Murray on his second match point to progress to the quarter-finals on the Monaco clay for the first time at the French Open warm-up event.

“I’m disappointed to lose from the position that I was in.

“I mean, if you sort of look at the scoreline, it was 7-5 in the third. One week ago I would have been okay with that. But sitting here, being 4-Love up in the third, I haven’t lost many matches like that in my career,” said Murray.

“I’m disappointed. I feel like I had enough chances to win. I was close, I think. At 5-4, I had a chance in that game, as well.

“Maybe tomorrow or a day after I’ll be able to look back a little bit and think where I’m at now from where I was a week ago.

“My elbow felt pretty good. I served much better today than I did yesterday. That’s only going to get better. So hopefully I keep going in the right direction.”