Murray is semi satisfied

ANDY MURRAY will take a number of positives from the Battle of the Brits but was frustrated after his semi-final defeat to Dan Evans. The former world No.1 (below) showed glimpses of the form that brought him three Grand Slams but Evans battled back in Roehampton to win 1-6

6-3 10-8.

Evans will play Kyle Edmund in today’s final after the Yorkshireman beat Cameron Norrie 6-7

(3-7) 6-4 10-8. Yesterday was Murray’s fourth match in five days in his first event since last November.

He said: “I started the match well and then like in all of my matches this week, my levels dropped off a bit after that.

“I’ve just not been able to sustain a high level for long enough. My game is there, I just need more time to prepare and I’ll get there.

“It was a big step up and I coped with it physically relatively well. I thought I moved better with each match and was a bit more confident. It was a positive week.

“Some of the tennis has been very encouraging, I just wasn’t able to do it for long enough.” Murray will play Norrie in today’s third-place play-off but is unlikely to compete again until the Citi Open in Washington starting on August 14.

He then plans to skip the Cincinnati Masters to avoid injury on the eve of the US Open.

British No.1 Evans said: “His serve is the main thing which has really got back to normal since his hip operation. He can work on the other parts of his game.

“It is coming back to its best and if he can do that for long periods of time, there’s only one way he’s going again.

“It’s great to beat him. I’m immensely proud, you don’t do that every day.”