Andy Murray’s run at Roland Garros comes to tame end

Andy Murray was knocked out of Roland Garros in tame fashion after the Scot succumbed to the impressive Tomas Berdych last night.

As the gloomy Parisian night descended on the court Murray was dumped out in straight sets 6-4 7-5 6-3 by the Czech 15th seed.

Murray was out-manoeuvred and out-muscled by Berdych’s rasping groundstrokes as the British No.1 was rarely able to make inroads on the Czech’s serve during the two hours and six minutes it took to dispose of the world No.4.

Both players persevered through spitting rain before the match was suspended, and as it resumed after the brief delay Murray voiced his displeasure over the conditions.

The bad light, the clay-laden balls and an inconsistent playing surface—all subjects of complaints voiced by the frustrated Scot in the aftermath of defeat.

In truth Berdych thoroughly deserved his place in the quarter-finals. Murray looked disinterested and sluggish—unlike the player often described as the fittest athlete on the tour.

After the match Berdych revealed his coach had described Murray’s persona as “looking like he doesn’t want to play.”

It was a remark which could be legitimately aimed at the Australian Open finalist. Murray’s coach’s reaction to a rare outburst of explosive strokes from the Scot mid-way through the third set asked: where was this tenacity in the previous two sets? Sadly it was a simply a case of too little, too late.

Murray now has a week to recuperate before beginning his defence of the Aegon Championships title at Queen’s Club.