Murray left with ashes, not Ashe

NEW YORK: Andy Murray’s earliest Grand Slam exit in five years came on Monday at the US Open, but not in Arthur Ashe Stadium, where the British star hoisted the trophy in 2012.

With Americans John Isner and Donald Young championing host-nation hopes at Ashe, whose under-construction roof has stilled once-blustery winds, the thirdseeded Scotsman was sent to Louis Armstrong Stadium for his fourthround match against South African 15th seed Kevin Anderson.

“That court is a lot quicker than Ashe,” Murray said. “I felt like I was on the back foot quite a lot. Wasn’t able to play that offensively.”

That proved too great a hindrance to overcome as the 28-year-old Briton lost 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/0) after four hours and 18 minutes.

Not since the 2010 US Open has Murray crashed out so early in a Grand Slam event, a run of 18 consecutive quarter-finals ended by the lanky African, who fired 25 aces and 81 winners.

“Playing against Kevin on the court of that speed, and with him serving as well as he does, it’s a tricky match,” Murray said.

“It comes down to a few points in each set. He managed to get them today.”

Anderson had lost all 15 prior matches against top-10 foes and all seven prior fourth-round Grand Slam appearances.

Murray had played and practiced on windy Armstrong, but the conditions added to the difficulties in facing Anderson on his favorite surface.

“I practiced on the court before the tournament and practiced very well on it. But it’s tricky,” Murray said. — AFP