Andy Murray squandered a match point in the second set and American Sam Querrey rallied Sunday for a 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 victory over the British top seed in the final of the Los Angeles Open. The 23-year-old Scotsman missed a golden chance for his first ATP title of the season and suffered his first loss in five career meetings with Querrey, who had never before taken a set off Murray.
"I've got to be happy getting to the final and having chances to win," Murray said. "I didn't play my best tennis. Just tired." World number four Murray announced a split from coach Miles Maclagan earlier this week. While he is looking at possible replacements, a final decision is not expected before the US Open.
Murray played in Los Angeles for the first time as a last-minute replacement for Serbian Novak Djokovic, who withdrew citing a need for more rest. Hometown favourite Querrey won his fourth title of the season - only Rafael Nadal with five has more - and became the first back-to-back champion at the 700,000-dollar hardcourt event since Andre Agassi defended his crown in 2002.