
Andy Murray is unsure if he can withstand the demands of best-of-five-set matches ahead of the US Open following his shock exit from the Cincinnati Masters.
Former world number one and three-time grand slam champion Murray fell at the first hurdle on Monday, upstaged by Lucas Pouille 6-1 1-6 6-4.
Murray, who reached the Citi Open quarter-finals before withdrawing in Washington and pulling out from last week's Rogers Cup as he continues his recovery from hip surgery, made a sloppy start and failed to recover.
Playing his fourth tournament after missing almost a year due to an ongoing hip problem, Murray tallied eight double faults and was broken four times in a rusty display.
"Today's start of the match was not good at all," the 31-year-old Brit said. "It was a pretty bad first set and then after that, you know, got a little bit better.
"I physically felt okay. It's quick conditions here. I feel like he was a little bit sharper than me out there. I maybe wasn't reacting as quickly to some shots I would have liked."
The fifth time is the charm for Lucas Pouille .
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