Murray looks ahead after defeat to Roddick

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Feb 25 (Reuters) Scottish teenager Andy Murray said he was satisfied with the state of his game despite his 6-3 7-6 defeat by American Andy Roddick in the semi-finals of the Memphis International.

Roddick gained revenge for his defeat by Murray at the same stage last week in San Jose, when the 19-year-old went on to win his second ATP Tour title.

Yesterday, Murray had his chances to extend the match into a deciding set, but after breaking for 5-3 in the second set, he handed the break straight back, missed a set point at 6-5 and then squandered a 4-1 lead in the tiebreak.

The defeat ended Murray's winning streak at eight matches - his best run - and the Scot admitted he been below par against Roddick, whom he had beaten in three of their four previous meetings.

''I didn't play a great match today, in fairness,'' he said.

''I had my chance at 5-3 to win the set and played a horrible game to get broken.

''In the tiebreak, I missed one bad shot at 4-3 - a forehand that hit the tape - and to be fair to him he came up with some big shots and big serves and deserved to win the match.

''But I definitely didn't play my best today.'' World number 13 Murray has a week off now before going to Indian Wells and Miami for back-to-back Masters Series events.

Having lost in the second round in Indian Wells and first round in Miami last year, solid performances in each event next month will almost certainly lift Murray into the top 10.

''I am happy, not with the way I played in the last couple of weeks, but with the way that I fought,'' he said.

''I look forward to getting back outside and getting into more return games and being able to use my shots a little bit more.'' REUTERS PM PM0847