csconstantine.com

Andy Murray conceded he may have returned to competitive action too soon after suffering a comprehensive first-round defeat at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam on Wednesday night.

In his first match since losing to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final 10 days ago, Murray started well against Marcos Baghdatis before slumping to a 6-4 6-1 defeat. The Scot led 4-2 in the first set but then lost 10 of 11 games as the Cypriot cruised through.

"I have to think about what it was. You have to get the balance right, making sure you come to the tournament mentally feeling you are ready to win it and maybe I didn't feel like that," Murray told BBC Scotland.

"I struggled to adapt, it was very fast out there and Marcos was hitting the ball well, very flat, and I didn't really adjust to the conditions so maybe it's something I need to think about...how to prepare better or if it was too soon."

The world number five felt his serve, which let him down against Djokovic in Melbourne, was again a weakness.

"I got off to a very good start and then started making mistakes I wasn't timing the ball well after that and didn't serve great. That's the reason it went the way it did," Murray added.

Murray is hoping playing doubles with brother Jamie in Rotterdam will help sharpen his reflexes.

The Scottish pair meet French duo Julien Benneteau and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga later on Thursday.

"I didn't feel particularly sharp on the court and that's something the doubles should help with, short sharp points," he added.

"The courts are very quick here and the first step is very important and that wasn't very good against Baghdatis. I was hitting the ball quite late."

Labels: Association, Murray, Press, quick, return

The Guardian

No choke for Murray SkySports By follow me on Twitter @ballell Last updated: 30th January 2011 Andy Murray's straight-sets defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open means the British number one is now 0-3 in major finals. Yes, Murray failed to register a set for a third ... Andy Murray's Australian Open hopes melt away as Novak Djokovic dominates ...Telegraph.co.uk Even in defeat, Murray unites the proud folk of DunblaneDaily Mail Novak Djokovic gives Andy Murray a difficult grand slam lessonThe Guardian The Press Association -Wall Street Journal -BBC Sport all 3,992 news articles »

Labels: choke, Murray, SkySports