Winning streak ends for Murray in Paris

Andy Murray was left to reflect on a sensational two months after his long winning streak finally came to an end at the Paris Masters.

David Nalbandian brought Murray’s 14-match unbeaten run to a halt yesterday by winning a high-quality quarter-final 7-6 (7/3) 6-3, but the Scot refused to be downcast.

Since losing to Roger Federer in the US Open final in early September, Murray has been in imperious form, winning two Davis Cup rubbers for Great Britain prior to tournament successes at the Madrid Masters and the St Petersburg Open over the past fortnight.

Before Flushing Meadows, Murray had claimed his first ever Masters Series triumph in Cincinnati.

So although naturally disappointed to have been eliminated in the French capital, Murray tried to remain upbeat.

“I don’t think there are many guys that would have won three weeks in a row,” he said.

“To have done that would have been an unbelievable achievement and I couldn’t quite do it.

“There’s a reason why the top guys only play a couple of weeks on the road because it’s tough to play a lot of matches.

“But since Wimbledon I’ve played the best tennis of my life so hopefully I can keep it going.”

It was always going to need something special to end Murray’s amazing recent run, and Nalbandian produced just that.

The reigning champion was sensational from start to finish, striking his shots perfectly and always holding the whip hand in the key rallies.

Murray’s serve, so impressive over the last few weeks, suddenly deserted him and he finally ran out of gas during a second set in which he was broken four times.

Britain’s number one held his hands up and admitted he was beaten by a better player.

“I’m obviously disappointed to lose,” he said. “But I’m glad that I played against a guy as good as him and that it took him playing a great match to beat me.

“I thought both of us hit the ball well. He probably returned better than me and created a few more chances.”

Murray will now fly to China to compete in the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai, which starts on November 9.