Andy Murray looks forward with confidence despite defeat

ANDY Murray heads for the All England Club's manicured lawns with a spring in his step - despite a quarter-final defeat at the French Open.

HEADING HOME: Andy Murray reflects on missed chances after his best ever run at Roland Garros is ended in the quarter-finals

In truth Murray was bullied out of Roland Garros by the booming forehand of Chilean big-hitter Fernando Gonzalez, whose game perfectly suits the pedestrian paced terre battue.

And the world number three - who has enjoyed his most successful clay court season yet - admitted he was beaten by the better man but can't wait to get his toes on the grass.

"The last few weeks have been very good for me - so much better than previous years," said Murray.

"I've got Queen's Club next week, then a week off and then Wimbledon, so there isn't a lot of time for rest.

"However, I'm looking forward to the next few weeks with confidence.

"It's disappointing to lose but I'm not going to get down about it, he's obviously a better player on this surface than me.

"I've probably doubled the amount of matches I've won on clay in my life in the past few weeks and that is real progress for me."

HOT WORK: Andy Murray could only scratch his head as Fernando Gonzalez flashed a success ion of forehand winners past him at the French Open tennis (Getty Images)

Murray was outsmarted by Gonzalez, whose 6-3, 3-6 6-0, 6-4 victory underlined that, despite dramatic improvements, Murray still has frailties on the red dirt.

The 12th seed will now face Robin Soderling in the semi-finals after Rafeal Nadal's fourth round conqueror banked another impressive win.

Roger Federer's bid to win the only Slam missing from his collection will be no foregone conclusion on this evidence.

"Fernando was just too good - he's going to be a contender," added Murray.

"Very few players hit the ball that big, if I tried to hit to his backhand, he just ran around it and spanked a winner.

"It got to the point when there wasn't a lot I could do."

Gonzalez insists Murray will be back and does have the game to challenge at Roland Garros.

"I took every chance he gave me and I tried to dominate with my forehand," he said.

"Andy is going to be a very good player on clay.

"He's only 22 and he's already number three in the world. He's got a good clay court coach in Alex Corretja and if he is patient, he is going to dominate this tour in years to come."

The remaining men's quarter-finals take place on Wednesday, with second feed Federer playing last remaining French hope Gael Monfils and fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro taking on experienced Spaniard Tommy Robredo.