Britain’s Andy Murray made an early exit in this year’s US Open after he was beaten in the fourth round by Croatia’s Marin Cilic in straight sets 7-5, 6-2, 6-2. This upset loss means that Murray will lose the number two ranking next week. He reached the finals last year but lost to Roger Federer.
“I just struggled today. I played poorly. I could have been better in pretty much every part of the game, whether it was mental or serve, forehand, backhand, returns,” Murray said after the match.
Former top-ranked player Rafael Nadal cruised to the quarterfinals after beating no. 13 seed Gael Monfils of France 6-7, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3. This assured the Spaniard’s return to the number two ranking next week.
Next up for Nadal, who’s aiming for a career Grand Slam by winning this hardcourt tournament, will be Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez. The 11th seed eliminated French seventh-seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-4.
