British number one Andy Murray lost 6-2 7-6 to Stanislas Wawrinka in the second round of the Rome Masters.

With the French Open looming, the 20-year-old Scot struggled again on the clay and was broken twice in the first set but rallied in the second.

However, after Murray took a 4-2 second-set lead Wawrinka broke back to take the match to a tie break, which he won 7-5 to seal a straight-sets win.

Wawrinka will now meet Juan Carlos Ferrero, who shocked Rafael Nadal.

Murray was desperate to find some form on clay ahead of the season's second Grand Slam but Wawrinka was stronger and more measured in Rome.

The Swiss world number 24 took an early advantage, breaking Murray for a 3-1 lead in the opening set.

Murray's situation was not helped as he appeared to hurt his left leg sliding for the ball and he called for the trainer.

The Scot complained about a tightness in his legs and after receiving treatment he conceded a second break with some wild groundstrokes.

Just as he slumped in the opener, Murray immediately seized the momentum in the second, immediately breaking Wawrinka and taking a 2-0 lead.

His renewed resolve and focus saw him fend off break points in the fourth game but when Wawrinka pushed him at 4-3, the Briton lofted his drop-shot wide to surrender the break.

The Swiss almost sealed victory on Murray's next service game but the Scot fought back from 0-40 with some brilliant play to level at 5-5.

A tense set between the two off-court friends was settled by a tie-break and Murray's inability to deliver a strong first serve was telling.

The Scot failed to lay down an ace throughout the entire match and when he needed a big serve most he could not find one and was forced to try to out-play Wawrinka with his groundstrokes.

Murray saved another match point at 6-5 but hit long at the crucial moment to hand the Swiss the match; and a third-round tie with Ferrero, who vanquished second seed Nadal.

(BBC)

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