Injured Andy can’t hold on to No 1 spot

ANDY MURRAY will lose the world No 1 ranking and is in a race to make the US Open after pulling out of next week’s Cincinnati Masters event. The 30-year-old Scot confirmed last night that his hip problem will keep him out for at least another week, meaning Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer will usurp him. Murray has been No 1 since November, but has not played since losing to Sam Querrey in the Wimbledon quarter-finals. However, his announcement made it clear that he still hopes to play at Flushing Meadows, starting two weeks on Monday. ‘Unfortunately I won’t be playing Cincinnati as I continue my recovery,’ he said. ‘I’m continuing to work hard with the aim of being in New York.’ Depending on results in Canada this week, then in Cincinnati, he could drop to No 3. At least Murray seems unlikely to take a prolonged break, as injured rival Novak Djokovic is doing.