Murray vexed by Berlocq grunting

Andy Murray accused Carlos Berlocq of gamesmanship after becoming frustrated by the Argentinian’s grunting during their fourth round clash at the BNP Paribas Open.

Murray won the match 7-6 (7/4) 6-4 to progress through to the quarter-finals in Indian Wells but the Scot was far from impressed by the conduct of his opponent.

After Berlocq had criticised Murray for taking too long between points, the world number three responded by complaining to the umpire about the noise the South American was making.

Speaking after the match, Murray suggested Berlocq had been deliberately loud at key moments.

He told the BBC: “It was extremely, extremely loud, more than what I have experienced from any other player on the tour.

“It’s like sometimes silence and then it comes out of nowhere. It’s a bit of a shock.

“That’s what I don’t understand. To go from nothing to the loudest grunt you can do. It makes no sense.

“When I have been on the court or off it, it’s never been something I have found to be really that off-putting.

“But if it’s going to be suggested that I am using gamesmanship by taking too long, then you can’t be making noises like that on the court. I haven’t experienced it like that before.”