ANDY MURRAY said recovering from his US Open heartache will be difficult before next week’s Davis Cup semi-final against Argentina.
Murray was favourite to claim his fourth grand slam title in Flushing Meadows, but was beaten 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 by Kei Nishikori in the last eight.
The world number two must now turn his attention to Britain’s crunch Davis Cup tie, which is likely to involve him playing two singles rubbers, as well as doubles.
Read more: Why Judy Murray stayed home to fight bigger battle while her boys fought it out in NY
Murray has eight days to fly home and recuperate ahead of the contest in Glasgow, and says he will have to make the most of his time off.
“Obviously I’ll look forward to the match. It should be a great, great atmosphere, a great occasion,” Murray said.
“I would like a little bit more time off, which obviously I will get when the Davis Cup is done, but I just need to be smart in the next few days because I need a lot of energy for those ties.
“Davis Cup does take a lot out of you. It’s tough, especially if you play all three days.
“I’ll need to be smart the next few days to make sure that I recover not only physically, but mentally.”
Murray’s five-set defeat to Nishikori means New York will host the first grand slam final this year without Murray, and the first since 2004 without Murray, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals.
Nishikori will face Stan Wawrinka in the last four while Novak Djokovic plays Gael Monfils.
“I’d say Novak would be the favourite,” Murray said. “Kei is obviously capable on this surface of beating the best players and has beaten Novak here as well. I would put Novak as the favourite, but everyone’s got a chance.”
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