Andy Murray has been knocked out of the Cincinnati Masters by Mardy Fish, the world number four losing 6-7 (7-9) 6-1 7-6 (7-5).
World number four struggles with both heat and knee problem
Andy Murray has been knocked out of the Cincinnati Masters by Mardy Fish, the world number four losing 6-7 (7-9) 6-1 7-6 (7-5) in their quarter-final match on Friday.
The Scot visibly started to suffer in the 100-degree heat during the second set and appeared out on his feet at times in a closely-fought third.
He also received treatment on an apparent knee problem as his American opponent, ranked 36 in the world, came through a tough contest in two hours 56 minutes.
The opening set was also close, with both players holding their service games until Murray gained break points with the score 5-5.
Fish saved them both and the set went into a tie-break, with Murray then saving two set points before finally clinching it.
He looked a different player in the second set, though, as both injury and the intense heat started to take their toll.
Fish capitalised to race into a 4-0 lead - Murray feeling his knee as early as the second game and then appearing to complain of dizziness at the change of ends after game three.
The 23-year-old at least got on the board at 4-1, although he had to have an ice pack applied to his leg after the game. Fish then rattled through the next two games to level the match.
Despite his suffering, Murray battled hard in the deciding set and saved two break points to prevent Fish taking a 2-0 lead.
He then forced a host of deuces on the Fish serve before the American managed to move 3-2 in front. With no breaks to speak of, another tie-break duly followed.
Murray moved 4-2 ahead but a successful challenge gave Fish the advantage at 5-4.
The Scot then thrashed the ball out of the stadium after losing the penultimate point, with the unseeded American closing out the match when Murray smacked a forehand into the net.
Request
Murray later expressed disappointment that tournament organisers had given him three consecutive starts in the midday heat.
After Thursday's win over Latvian Ernests Gulbis, Murray asked organisers - who rejected his request - if he could be given a later slot.
"If you ask for a late match and you're put on first, that's not...that's pretty...," said a hesitant Murray, who after winning last week's Toronto Masters has played eight games in 10 days - all of them between noon and three pm local time.
"I don't ever request really when to play. I don't make many demands at all during the tournaments."
Murray said organisers had told him he needed to start at midday as Fish was playing in the doubles competition later on Friday.
"They said that because Fish had to play doubles they wanted us to play early. But I'm not sure, the way the tennis works, I don't think matches should be scheduled around the doubles because it's the singles that's on the TV," he added.
Despite his defeat, Murray nevertheless claimed he is well prepared for the US Open, which starts in 10 days' time.
"(I've) put in a lot work off the court," he told
www.atpworldtour.com.
"I've worked as hard as I can to get in really good shape. I just tried to fight as much as I could, and nearly won. I've had more than enough matches before the US Open, I think."
Fish, who after wins in Miami and at Queen's Club has now beaten Murray three times in a row, plays Andy Roddick in the semi-finals after he later beat second seed Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5.
