Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 25 February 2007 /

rued a number of missed chances after losing in straight sets to Andy Roddick in the semi-finals of the Memphis International.

The British number one was looking to make it back-to-back victories over the big-serving American, following his semi-final victory in San Jose last week, but lost 6-3 7-6 (7-4) on Saturday.

Murray has reached the giddy heights of number 13 in the world and will climb further in the rankings after his march to the semi-finals in Tennessee, but felt he missed the chance to progress to the final with a below-par showing.

"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 tie break, 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."

And the Dunblane-born starlet felt he got the basics wrong against a man who has returned to somewhere near the top of his game.

"The two things that are important to do against him, I didn't really do," added Murray. "I didn't serve particularly well and didn't return well.

"They're two things I've been doing pretty well all week and the last few times I have played against him."

Roddick will play Tommy Haas in the final and the US star trades as the 1.5 favourite to claim the title with the German on offer at 2.42

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