Andy Murray Falls To Ljubicic

Andy Murray was sent crashing out of the China Open with a comprehensive 6-3 6-2 loss to Ivan Ljubicic.

The Scot was playing in his first tournament since his disappointing third round exit at the US Open and fell after just sixty seven minutes.

Murray had not dropped a set on his way to the quarter finals and looked to be in good form but the second seed didn't get a sniff or a break point and his own serve came under fire from Ljubicic.

Ljubicic had started off the 2010 season well as he won the Indian Wells Masters title, beating Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick along the way.

And it was the Croat who struck first as he put the Murray serve under pressure in the fourth game of the opening set, but the Scot was able to serve his way out of trouble.

But Ljubicic finally found a way through in the sixth as he got the break under his belt, the break was enough to win the set as Ljubicic wrapped it up 6-3.

If Murray had any ideas of hitting back in the second they were quickly snuffed out as he lost his serve at the start of the second set.

Ljubicic on the other hand was serving well and the closest that Murray ever game to upsetting that rhythm was 0-30. Murray was broken for a second time and any hope of a fight back were gone.

After just sixty seven minutes Ljubicic had wrapped up the win and secured a showdown with Spaniard David Ferrer who had seen off Robin Soderling.

Ferrer also enjoyed a straight sets victory as he lost just six games as he sent the third seed packing with a 6-2 6-4 victory.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw