Australian Open defeat now a positive memory for Murray
Monday, 15th March, 2010
Britain’s Andy Murray has buried the bitter disappointment of being outclassed by Roger Federer in the Australian Open final in January.
The 22-year-old Scot broke down in tears after losing to the Swiss master 6-3 6-4 7-6 in Melbourne but he now values his overall experience of the season’s first grand slam.
“It’s been a long, long time now and I haven’t thought about that at all for the last month and a half,” world number four Murray told reporters on Sunday after beating Italian Andreas Seppi 6-4 6-4 at the Indian Wells ATP tournament.
“I viewed it as being a very positive tournament. I was incredibly disappointed not to win the final, of course, and for a few days afterwards, it was tough.
“But when you look back and actually assess things properly, it was a good trip over in Australia. I feel like I prepared as well as I can to play well here, too.”
Despite showing a few signs of rust at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Sunday, Murray brushed aside Seppi to move into the third round of the elite ATP Masters 1000 event.
The fourth-seeded Briton broke his opponent in the seventh game of the second set when the Italian pushed a backhand volley wide before wrapping up victory in 86 minutes.
SCRAPPY MATCH
“It was a pretty scrappy match today,” Murray said after competing for the first time on the ATP Tour since losing in the second round of last month’s Dubai Championships.
“There wasn’t a particular point where I felt in a lot of trouble but it’s just because you’ve not played for a while. It was pretty breezy on the court and it’s sometimes quite difficult to get into a rhythm.
“You’re not necessarily hitting the ball as well as you were, as well as you have been in practice. I don’t know if it’s tension. You’re just a bit surprised, maybe.
“But, saying that, when you haven’t played for a long time, you have to expect not to play your best the first match out. I’m sure next round out I’ll feel fine.”
Murray, who was beaten by Spaniard Rafa Nadal in last year’s final at Indian Wells, will next meet American Michael Russell.
“I did well here last year but I would love to win this time,” the Scot said. “This is a great tournament with great weather, and a really nice place to be.”
By Robert Kemp
“It’s been a long, long time now and I haven’t thought about that at all for the last month and a half,” world number four Murray told reporters on Sunday after beating Italian Andreas Seppi 6-4 6-4 at the Indian Wells ATP tournament.
“I viewed it as being a very positive tournament. I was incredibly disappointed not to win the final, of course, and for a few days afterwards, it was tough.
“But when you look back and actually assess things properly, it was a good trip over in Australia. I feel like I prepared as well as I can to play well here, too.”
Despite showing a few signs of rust at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Sunday, Murray brushed aside Seppi to move into the third round of the elite ATP Masters 1000 event.
The fourth-seeded Briton broke his opponent in the seventh game of the second set when the Italian pushed a backhand volley wide before wrapping up victory in 86 minutes.
SCRAPPY MATCH
“It was a pretty scrappy match today,” Murray said after competing for the first time on the ATP Tour since losing in the second round of last month’s Dubai Championships.
“There wasn’t a particular point where I felt in a lot of trouble but it’s just because you’ve not played for a while. It was pretty breezy on the court and it’s sometimes quite difficult to get into a rhythm.
“You’re not necessarily hitting the ball as well as you were, as well as you have been in practice. I don’t know if it’s tension. You’re just a bit surprised, maybe.
“But, saying that, when you haven’t played for a long time, you have to expect not to play your best the first match out. I’m sure next round out I’ll feel fine.”
Murray, who was beaten by Spaniard Rafa Nadal in last year’s final at Indian Wells, will next meet American Michael Russell.
“I did well here last year but I would love to win this time,” the Scot said. “This is a great tournament with great weather, and a really nice place to be.”
By Robert Kemp
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