Murray loses in 1st round of Rome Masters

Andy Murray slipped up in the second round of the 2009 Rome Masters on Wednesday, losing to qualifier Juan Monaco 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 in his first match of the tournament.

Murray went into the first set with all guns blazing, running out to a 5 game lead before closing out the set 6-1. However, Monaco made his presence felt in the next two sets, battling back to win the match.

The loss was Murray’s first in the opening rounds of a tournament since August of 2008. Murray last suffered the indignity of a first round departure at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Wednesday’s loss was Murray’s fifth of the 2009 tennis season.

Despite falling at the first hurdle, Murray remained optimistic about the course his career is taking.

“It wasn’t my best match but I was still very close to winning,” Murray told Sky Sports. “This year I’ve found ways of coming through when I haven’t been playing well.

“On clay it’s something I’ve got to work on more but I’m not going to be too disappointed. I’ve had a great eight months and it was going to happen some time.””

“I’ve just got to realise that I’m playing better this year than last year on clay and now I’ll get ready for Madrid.”