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[Sir Panda]

More and more convinced that he was genuinely affected by his illness. He's reluctant to use it as an excuse, but a few of his comments indicate that it affected him.

I watched an interview and I couldn't believe how pale he looked, like a ghost. He needs to be quarantined next year.

[yarrumydna]

Watching the BBC video interview of him, it seems so obvious he avoided answering the questions about his illness because he knows if he answers it honestly then it would come across as him making excuses.

I agree but its the right thing to do. Take it on the chin and move on. Andrew Castle has said it all in that interview above, its no drama! Still Gutted he`s out but thats life. Keep the chin up Andy, your time will come!

[psychology student]

Verdasco did not play "The Tennis of his life" he just played good tennis!Murray on the other hand in my opinion, was far to passive. He let Verdasco dominate, and was content in the last two sets to just counter punch. At such a crucial apex of the match surely he should have been much more agressive? Anyway once the dust has settled murray only has himself to answer to. Only he knows how he felt on the court. Sometimes you can be honest (his illness not as excuse) but not really be concise. Its fairly obvious to me that murray was not himself in his 4th round match. And because of this just did not have the stamina to out last a worthy opponent on the day? Murray knows he has learned another valuble lesson. Sometimes you have to take the fight to the aggressor and not rely on the other opponent making errors in order you win, sometimes they don't come!!

[Joe]

I've just been reading all the posts and the Castle interview which wasn one of the best I've heard or seen so far and I also watched Novak throw in the towel in the heat. THe commentators on Eurosport said, probably unkindly, that he didn't want to lose so gave up. Also read the comments posted on AM re Verdasco. It all puts Andy right on top in my estimation and elly's comments just round it up nicely. It also poses the question in my mind as to how 'qualified' Novak is to win a Grand Slam - was last year's Aussie a fluke? To my mind Andy has overtaken him in talent and maturity.

Djokovic has certainly lost his cockiness and self-assurance since Wimbledon last year. To my mind, Andy has definitely overtaken him in terms of talent, if not ranking (yet). Djoko has plenty of points to defend over the next few months until Wimbledon (Indian Wells title, Rome title, Hamburg/Madrid semis, RG semi, Queen's runner-up) and I would be surprised if he did half as well this time. Andy had a distinctly average showing over this period last year, so the time is ripe for a ranking swap!

I feel much better about Andy's exit today - it looks now as though he clearly was affected by illness and this had consequences for his performance. He should realise this and not let it affect his confidence. The best thing he can do now is to win Rotterdam in two weeks time. I can't wait for the start of that!

Edited to add: Djokovic made the semis of Monte Carlo last year too!

[Joe]

That's a good article, though I think it makes too much of the inexperience factor. For me, it was largely due to illness, though he could have been more aggressive to shorten the points and so reduce exhaustion. It was just all wrong yesterday, however.

I haven't seen any press reports on the defeat yesterday. It would be typical if there were to be a media backlash and subsequent rounding on Andy by the know-nothing football fans. He doesn't deserve it here though - it wasn't a choke, the illness obviously affected him.

[Bevc]

 I too am looking forward not just to Rotterdam but to the rest of the year. Let's hope he can overtake Novak.

I consider that to be a win win scenario

[Coldmarek]

I think the illness unless Murray comes out in his press conference saying he was ill is irrelevant. Bottom line is he played poor, and looked second class in comparison to Verdasco (who btw I don't think played 'the tennis of his life' - he just played really good tennis), plenty of people could have beaten Murrays passive tennis today.

oh yeah anyone could have done it,my dad said he didnt look like an ill and it was all on him