Murray crashes out

British number one Andy Murray crashed out of the Japan Open on Wednesday when he was defeated by Czech Jiri Novak 6-3 7-6. The 19-year-old Scot – who received a first round bye – fought back from a 4-1 deficit but managed to win only one point in the second set tie-break.

But Murray – who also fell in the first round in Bangkok last week to fellow Brit Tim Henman – remains upbeat and insists that his dropping form is not cause for concern.

“Every single young player goes through a patch where he's not playing well,” he said.

“I not like I lost to bad players. 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.”

Defending Tokyo champion Wesley Moodie beat Austria's Stefan Koubek 6-3 6-4 to put the South African on course for a third-round meeting with Federer.

The Swiss, making his first appearance in Japan this week, is to play Serbian qualifier Viktor Troicki later on Wednesday in his opening match.

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