Murray to lose No 1 spot as he misses Cincinnati

ANDY MURRAY is sure to lose the world No1 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 ongoing hip problem will keep him out for at least another week, thus guaranteeing that rafael Nadal or roger Federer will usurp him in the top position.

Murray has held that status since last November but is sure to relinquish it having not played since limping out of Wimbledon in July when he was beaten by big-hitting American Sam Querrey in the quarter-finals.

Yesterday’s announcement, though, was the first time he has made clear he still hopes to play at Flushing Meadows, which begins two weeks on Monday.

‘unfortunately I won’t be

playing Cincinnati as I continue my recovery,’ he said. ‘I always enjoy playing there and I look forward to returning next year. I’m continuing to work hard on the court with the aim of being in New York.’ Murray had already withdrawn from this week’s Masters 1000 event in Montreal. Depending on results in Canada and Cincinnati, which represented his final chance for a competitive warmup prior to the US Open, he could drop to world No 3 by the time the season’s final Grand Slam begins. It also means that, most likely, he would not have played a hardcourt match since March if he does make Flushing Meadows. He does, however, seem to have no intention of following his main rivals’ recent example and taking a prolonged break from the sport. While Murray has kept details of his injury to a minimum, he seems to be trying everything to regain full fitness. He will, at least, not be physically and mentally frazzled going into the US Open if he does play, which seemed to be the case in New York last year and at January’s Australian Open.