US OPEN: Murray can't explain slump as Wawrinka claims victory

By Sportsbeat staff

ANDY Murray was at a loss to explain a dramatic slump in form as he crashed out of the US Open in New York.

WELL BEATEN: Andy Murray congratulates Stanislas Wawrinka after crashing out of the US Open in New York (Reuters)

The British number one and number four seed had looked impressive in his opening two matches but his form was erratic against Stanislas Wawrinka.

Murray always knew his toughest test at Flushing Meadows might come against a Swiss player - but he expected it to be Roger Federer rather than the number 25 seed he famously beat under lights under Wimbledon two years ago.

He had his chances - serving for a two set lead - but Wawrinka progressed 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3.

A thigh injury didn't help and the Scot twice called for a medical time out - although no magic sponge could find a winning formula.

"He played better than me," admitted Murray. 

"There's not a whole lot more to it really. He had a chance to win the first set and he didn't take it. I had a chance to win the second set and I didn't take it. I just struggled from then on.

"I was disappointed that I was struggling physically as that is a strength of my game. I tried to find a way to come back and I didn't quite do it."

Murray has long regarded the US Open as his best opportunity of winning a major, reaching the final in New York two years ago.

But he fell in the fourth round last year while his third round defeat to Wawrinka is his worst Slam performance of 2010, which started with a final defeat at the Australian Open and included another semi-final appearance at Wimbledon.

But Wawrinka admitted his rival wasn't playing at 100 percent.

"I have the feeling he was a little bit injured, so I was trying to stay aggressive and to make him run a lot," he said.

"I think all my game was pretty good, it was one of my best matches. I was aggressive and I was doing everything really good, so I'm very happy."

Elsewhere, top seed Rafael Nadal eased past Gilles Simon with an emphatic 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 victory to set up a clash with fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.

"It was important to win without dropping a set," said Nadal, who is looking to complete his set of Slam tournaments in New York.

"Every day I seem to play much better which is good for my confidence."

Defending champion Kim Clijsters was a thumping 6-2, 6-1 winner over former world number one Ana Ivanovic while Venus Williams recovered from a stuttering start to beat Israel's Shahar Peer 7-6, 6-3.

Clijsters will now take on Australia's Samantha Stosur, who reached the French Open final earlier this year and progressed through an entertaining clash with Elena Dementieva that finished in the small hours of the morning.