Murray: Favourite's tag not a burden

Andy Murray insisted being favourite for the Australian Open title did not weigh heavily on him after he crashed out in the fourth round to Spain’s Fernando Verdasco.

The world number four, who arrived in Melbourne as favourite for the trophy after an unbeaten start to the year, was adamant the tag had not been a distraction during his quest for a maiden grand slam.

“It did not make a whole lot of difference to the way I played in my matches,” said the British number one, who lost 2-6 6-1 1-6 6-3 6-4 to 14th-seeded Verdasco.

“You know, I felt comfortable from the start. It didn’t make a whole lot of difference to me.

“I got very good support this week, which wasn’t the same in the past when I played tournaments overseas. So that was nice.”

Murray has yet to reach the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park and has only gone beyond the fourth round twice in his 13 grand slam appearances to date.

He reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2008 before making it to the US Open final later in the year, where he lost to Roger Federer.

Other players, including Federer and reigning Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, questioned Murray’s right to be favourite in this year’s tournament, and following his defeat the Scot admitted: “I don’t know if I’ll be the favourite for a slam in the next year or so after today.

“But it doesn’t really bother me. If I’m the favourite to win, whatever. I play the same as I am when I’m the underdog.

“I try my best to win. I think I give 100% in all my matches. If I lose, I lose. If I win, I win.”

Murray struggled to cope as Verdasco produced a showcase of blistering serving, impressive groundstrokes, drop shots and lobs.

The 21-year-old hit more winners and had 10 fewer unforced errors but failed to convert crucial break points.

In the sixth game of the fifth set, Murray passed up two break points before losing the game, and then lost his own serve in the next game.

“When I did have the break points, I think he made a first serve on every one,” he said. “I think he served two aces (in that game).

“It’s difficult to be defensive when that happens. The one point where I did get in, he hit a very good first serve. My first return went to his forehand, and he just moved me from side to side.

“That’s what he does very well. He hit the ball too big today.”

Murray refused to use illness as an excuse for the defeat – his first in six meetings with the 25-year-old Spaniard – despite suffering headaches and a sore throat prior to his third-round victory against Jurgen Melzer.

“My five-set record in the last two years has been great. I can’t remember the last time I lost one. It wasn’t a physical thing why I lost. Even after being sick for the last few days I thought I still came through the match well,” Murray said.

“He played too good for me. That’s what happens. I’m not here to try to make excuses for why I lost.”

Murray won the first and third sets on the back of early breaks, which allowed him to put his opponent under pressure.

But the roles were reversed in the second and fourth.

“I played a couple of poor games early in the second and fourth sets to get behind. If I’d stayed on top there, that might have made a bit of a difference,” the fourth seed added.

“But apart from that, like I said, I did have my chances. But he just served too good for me and the return’s the best part of my game and he didn’t give me too many chances, which he had done in the past.”

Verdasco revealed the confidence he gained from his success in the Davis Cup final against Argentina last November played a role in his victory today.

He came from two sets to one down against Jose Acasuso to win in five sets and clinch the trophy for his country.

“I was really thinking, when I lost the third set, about that match in the final that I was the same – two sets to one down,” said Verdasco.

“I was thinking that I can do it again. I just need to try my best.

“I think that that Davis Cup final made me much stronger mentally and this pre-season I was worked really hard too.

“So today, I really believed in myself that I could win the match, that I’d go to five sets.”