Andy Murray Crashes Out of U.S. Open in Fourth Round Loss Against South Africa’s Anderson

British tennis star Andy Murray will not feature in a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time since 2010 after a shock defeat against South Africa’s Kevin Anderson at the U.S. Open on Monday.

Anderson, the 15th seed, beat world No. 3 Murray 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (0) in the duo’s fourth-round encounter at New York City’s Flushing Meadows, the Associated Press reported.

The loss ended Murray’s streak of reaching at least the quarterfinal stage in 18 consecutive Grand Slams, while the big-serving Anderson progressed past the fourth round for the first time in eight attempts thanks to his 25 aces and 81 winners.

“I’m a little lost for words right now,” the 29-year-old South African said after the match. “I just managed to keep my composure throughout.”

Murray, who smashed his racket out of frustration midway through the first half, lamented his unusually premature exit from a tournament he won in 2012.

“Disappointing to lose because of that,” he said. “Obviously that’s many years’ work that’s gone into building that sort of consistency.”

Anderson will now face Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka, the reigning French Open champion and world No. 5 who progressed to the last eight with a four-set win over 68th-ranked American Donald Young.

[AP]