Andy Murray suggests he will skip Cincinnati Masters and then play US Open

Former world No. 1 Andy Murray failed to make the final at the Battle of the Brits event but he left the event in positive spirits. 

Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, won the first set of his semifinal clash against Dan Evans before the now top-ranked British player came back from a set down to win 1-6 6-3 10-8. 

Murray, now ranked at No. 129 in the world, was playing his first matches since last year's Davis Cup Finals -- which took place in November. 

Murray claimed two wins and two losses at the Battle of the Brits as he beat Liam Broady and James Ward, while he lost to Evans and Kyle Edmund.

But most importantly Murray's troublesome hip held well and it was a positive campaign for the Briton.

"I thought I started the match well and then like in all of my matches this week, my levels dropped off a bit after that. I've just not been able to sustain a high level for long enough. My game is there, I just need more time to practise and prepare and I'll get there," Murray said after losing to Evans, per Sports Mole.

"It was a big step up this week from what I've been doing, and I coped with it physically relatively well, I thought I moved better with each match and was a bit more confident. It was a positive week.

"Some of the tennis this week has been very encouraging, I just wasn't able to do it for long enough in the matches.

"That's something that when I was up at the top of the game and competing regularly, my level was the same throughout whereas I'm struggling to maintain that, probably just with lack of matches."

Andy Murray focused on playing the US Open  

Murray is aiming to be fully ready to play again once the season resumes on August 14 -- when the time comes for the Citi Open in Washington.

The Briton would then likely skip the Cincinnati Masters and play at the US Open.

"It's just so close to a slam and I would hate to pick up a niggle or something that prevented me from playing in New York," Murray revealed.

"I would rather play Washington and miss the event the week before the US Open, if they all go ahead."

Andy Murray claimed his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2012.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2Vnsesb