Andy Murray looking for quick recovery after US Open loss

A frustrated Andy Murray during his US Open quarter-finals defeat to Kei Nishikori. Picture: AFP/Getty

Murray was favourite to claim his fourth grand slam title in Flushing Meadows but was beaten 1-6 6-4 4-6 6-1 7-5 by Kei Nishikori in the last eight.

The world number two must now turn his attention to Britain’s crunch Davis Cup tie with Argentina, which is likely to involve him playing two singles rubbers, as well as doubles.

Murray has eight days to fly home and recuperate ahead of the contest in Glasgow and says he will have to make the most of his time off.

“Obviously I’ll look forward to the match. It should be a great, great atmosphere, a great occasion,” Murray said.

“I would like a little bit more time off, which obviously I will get when the Davis Cup is done, but I just need to be smart in the next few days because I need a lot of energy for those ties.

“Davis Cup does take a lot out of you over the weekend. It’s tough, especially if you play all three days.

“I’ll need to be smart the next few days to make sure that I recover not only physically, but mentally as well, because it’s always a stressful few days.”

Murray’s five-set defeat to Nishikori was particularly galling. He twice led the Japanese by a set and his downfall was at least partly of his own making.

The British number one lost seven games in a row after his break point in the fourth set had to be replayed due to a loud noise from the stadium’s malfunctioning sound system. Murray reacted angrily and lost focus.

The 29-year-old, however, has enjoyed a superb summer, winning Wimbledon, an Olympic gold medal in Rio and reaching seven consecutive tournament finals.

“I have not let anyone down. I tried my best. I fought as hard as I could with what I had,” Murray said.

“I pushed myself as hard as I could over the last few months and I’m very proud of how I have done.

“If someone had offered me the summer that I have had before Wimbledon, I probably would have signed for that.

“I’m not going to have the best perspective on things right this minute but after a few days away, I would imagine I’d be very happy with how I have done.”

His defeat means New York will host the first grand slam final this year without Murray on one side of the net and the first since 2004 without Murray, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals.

Nishikori will face Stan Wawrinka in the last four while Novak Djokovic plays Gael Monfils, as the Serb looks to seal his 13th major title.

“I’d say Novak would be the favourite,” Murray said. “Obviously a lot of top, top players are left. Gael has been playing very well but I think in their head to heads, Novak has had quite a little bit of success.

“In the bottom part of the draw it’s obviously difficult to pick. They’re all top players.

“Kei is obviously capable on this surface of beating the best players and has beaten Novak here as well so I would put Novak as the favourite, but everyone’s got a chance.”

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