Andy Murray was dumped out of the US Open as he was beaten by Korean Hyung-Taik Lee in the third round at Flushing Meadows.
Murray beaten in four sets by veteran Lee.
Andy Murray was dumped out of the US Open as he was beaten 6-3 6-3 2-6 7-5 by South Korean Hyung-Taik Lee in the third round at Flushing Meadows.
20-year-old Murray could not find top gear again after his five-set marathon against Jonas Bjorkman in the previous round, and Lee took advantage to reach the last 16 for the second time in his career.
Murray is short of match practice after a summer ruined by the wrist injury he picked up in May, and it was maybe a match too far at the US Open.
After losing the opening two sets comfortably, Murray hit back to take the third and was battling all the way in the fourth, saving two match points before Lee finally secured his victory.
Murray was disappointed with his consistency during the match, but admitted that it had been a good workout for him.
"It was a good match," said Britain's number one.
"I fought really hard. I didn't play as consistent as I would've liked but he played well.
"He was the one coming up. He made loads of shots today.
"It maybe took me five or six games to get going.
"After that I was okay but maybe I gave myself a little bit too much work to do in the end.
"If I had got one of those chances in the first set and maybe got myself a set ahead, I might have loosened up and started to play better."
Lee dream
World number 43 Lee now faces Russian Nikolay Davydenko after disposing of the number 19 seed.
"It's like a dream come true for me," Lee told reporters through an interpreter.
"It's been seven years since I've been in the round-of-16, since the year 2000 and I come back at an older age in a different situation.
"In part I don't feel compelled to win at all costs, to win all the hard points and run for it.
"Now my life has changed and I'm beginning to learn to enjoy the game more.
"Not just the tennis, but the running and the timing, every part of the game, trying to enjoy more.
"I have two lovely children, one was just born a couple of weeks ago. It seems like my life is a bit more balanced."
As Murray became frustrated on court, some of the American fans started to back underdog Lee on a raucous night in New York, and he said the support helped carry him to victory.
"The crowd certainly did have an effect," Lee said.
"I'm very grateful for the Korean fans and the local fans who came and cheered me on. It was a big boost for me and I'm thankful."
