Murray falls to guile of Gasquet - 美網 Tennis

Last Updated: Saturday, 12 August 2006, 18:38 GMT 19:38 UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4786127.stm

Murray falls to guile of Gasquet


Andy Murray missed out on his first Masters final, losing 6-2 7-5 to
Frenchman Richard Gasquet in Toronto.

The Briton played an error-strewn first set in the semi-final, dropping two
service games as Gasquet demonstrated delicate touch and deadly power.

The second set was closer, Murray raising his game, while perhaps relying too
heavily on drop shots.

But Gasquet won a series of superb net points, as both men thrilled the crowd
with their improvisation and reflexes.

"I'm definitely not disappointed about this week," said Murray, who also
reached the final in Washington last Sunday.

"I obviously could have played a little better today, but I've had two really
good weeks.

I served well, it was the key to the match
Richard Gasquet

"I'm going to be inside the top 25 now. I'm going to get a seeding at the US
Open. I've got a lot of things to be happy about."

Murray, 19, stood to enter the world's top 20 with a win on Saturday but
he ran into another in-form youngster only one year his senior.

Showing signs of fatigue after a tough week, Murray succumbed to the
patience and shotmaking of Gasquet, who had already reached a Masters final
in his brief career.

Once again, Murray was hampered by a faltering first serve, which meant
that most of his service games were keenly contested with few easy points won.

Gasquet, meanwhile, made lighter work of his service, varying the pace
and direction to keep his opponent guessing.

It's a quick service action, so it's tough to read when he's going to hit
the ball
Andy Murray

Murray guessed well on occasion, but fired tamely into the net too often as
he tried in vain to grab a break.

And, serving second, the pressure finally told, Murray surrendering game and
match after an hour and a half.

"I had a lot of confidence, I wanted to win and I played a good match,"
said Gasquet, who will be bidding for his third title of the season against
world number one Roger Federer, who beat Chile's Fernando Gonzalez later on
Saturday.

"I served well, it was the key to the match. I had a lot of pressure in the
second set because I had the chance to get to the final but to win it 7-5 was
great for me."

Murray said he had had trouble reading Gasquet's serve.

"He has got a pretty quick action, and it's not like there's a huge, huge
wind-up. He is not that tall either, doesn't look like he is putting that
much effort into it but he times it really well.

"It's a quick action, so it's tough to read when he's going to hit the ball.

"Most guys have a slightly higher throw-up and knee bend. He just hits it out
of his hand. You know, he serves pretty accurately as well, so it
makes it tough to return.

"Against a lot of players, they can hit big serves, but it will be right in
your striking zone. Against him, he might not hit it as hard as some, but he
gets it away."



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