Violent frustration

Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland celebrates winning match point against Andy Murray of Britain at the US Open tennis championships in New York, Sept 5, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

The strong breezes which popped in and out of center court had impacted the rhythm of both players but the 10th game was the turning point.

"The first set was not really easy," Wawrinka said. "It was really windy, both of us were trying to find our game. To get the first set for me gave me confidence for the rest of the match," said Wawrinka.

The violent frustration Murray showed at the end of the first set, leaving his racket a wrangled wreck, might have indicated a more aggressive Murray to come.

But his struggles extended to the second set where he allowed his opponent triple break point in the sixth game, which Wawrinka took advantage of with a superb backhand winner down the line.

Wawrinka held his serve to take the second set and his joyful reaction illustrated his belief that a first Grand Slam semifinals appearance was within his reach.

A double fault on break point from Murray in the third game of the final set summed up his afternoon and the match was put beyond him with a brilliant forehand winner from the Swiss broke Murray again to go up 5-2.

After winning Olympic gold and his first two Grand Slams, Murray put his loss into the context of a great run of form.

"I lost in straight sets so that's disappointing and I would liked to have gone further," said Murray.

"But, look, I can't complain. If someone told me before the US Open last year I would have been here as defending champion having won Wimbledon and Olympic gold, I would have taken that 100 percent.

"I'm disappointed but the year as a whole has been a good one."

Andy Murray of Britain misses on a return to Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland at the US Open tennis championships in New York, Sept 5, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]