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Murray slumps to defeat in Japan Murray slumps to defeat in Japan
(about 2 hours later)
Andy Murray suffered his third straight defeat on the ATP Tour as he went down to Jiri Novak in the second round of the Japan Open.Andy Murray suffered his third straight defeat on the ATP Tour as he went down to Jiri Novak in the second round of the Japan Open.
The 19-year-old Briton, who had a bye through the first round, went down 6-3 7-6 (7-1) to 31-year-old Novak.The 19-year-old Briton, who had a bye through the first round, went down 6-3 7-6 (7-1) to 31-year-old Novak.
Murray fought back from 4-1 down in the second set but was no match for the Czech in the tie-break.Murray fought back from 4-1 down in the second set but was no match for the Czech in the tie-break.
"Every single young player goes through a patch where he's not playing well," said fourth seed Murray."Every single young player goes through a patch where he's not playing well," said fourth seed Murray.
It's not like I lost to bad players Andy MurrayIt's not like I lost to bad players Andy Murray
"You can't expect to get to the semi-finals every week - unless you're Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal."You can't expect to get to the semi-finals every week - unless you're Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal.
"They are the only two who can do it. I wasn't looking that far ahead.""They are the only two who can do it. I wasn't looking that far ahead."
Murray lost to Tim Henman in his opening match in Bangkok last week.Murray lost to Tim Henman in his opening match in Bangkok last week.
"It's not like I lost to bad players," said Murray. "Henman has been at the top of the game for a long time. Novak was number five in the world (in 2002)."It's not like I lost to bad players," said Murray. "Henman has been at the top of the game for a long time. Novak was number five in the world (in 2002).
"I did well to fight back into the match but unfortunately I couldn't quite turn it around.""I did well to fight back into the match but unfortunately I couldn't quite turn it around."
Roger Federer made a sluggish start in his first tour event since winning the US Open last month, beating Serbian qualifier Viktor Troicki 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-3).Roger Federer made a sluggish start in his first tour event since winning the US Open last month, beating Serbian qualifier Viktor Troicki 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-3).
"It was a really tough match," said Federer. "I didn't know his game. I've never seen him play and it always takes time to figure a player out."It was a really tough match," said Federer. "I didn't know his game. I've never seen him play and it always takes time to figure a player out.
"I couldn't get a read on his serve, he mixed it up well. This was my first match of the tournament so I wanted to play it safe and get a rhythm.""I couldn't get a read on his serve, he mixed it up well. This was my first match of the tournament so I wanted to play it safe and get a rhythm."
Second seed Tommy Robredo beat Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan 6-4 6-1. Second seed Tommy Robredo beat Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan 6-4 6-1 while Croatian number three seed Mario Ancic recorded a simple 6-1 6-4 victory over Kenneth Carlsen.
Henman carries British hopes in Tokyo and will face Argentine Juan Martin del Potro on Thursday.Henman carries British hopes in Tokyo and will face Argentine Juan Martin del Potro on Thursday.