Andy Murray looks on bright side of Queen's defeat

An opening round defeat just days out from a Grand Slam would spell disaster for most people - but Andy Murray believes his early exit from the AEGON Championships could be a blessing in disguise.

The world No.4 suffered a shock defeat against Nicolas Mahut at Queen’s last week, surrendering his crown in what was his first match on grass this season.

However, rather than throw his preparations into jeopardy, the British hope claims the unforeseen break will give him extra time to refine his game as he bids to break his major duck in front of his home fans.

“When I won Queen’s last year it finished on Monday, exactly a week before Wimbledon started, so I was a little bit tired and didn’t practise too much before the tournament began,” Murray said. “Now I’ll have time to get all the hard work done, but that’s the only bonus. I’ll actually spend more time on the grass being out of Queen’s than I would have if I was still in it.”

Murray likened his current predicament to his preparation to the Australian Open, which he often enters without playing a competitive tournament.

The two-time Aussie Open finalist added: “Of course I would like to have played more matches, but in the past I’ve done that and it hasn’t always translated into the success I want at Wimbledon. I often go to Melbourne without playing a competitive tournament, just training hard, and I’ve always played well there.”

>> DAVID NALBANDIAN was disqualified from his Queen’s final against Croatia’s Marin Cilic for kicking out and injuring a linesman. Nalbandian was leading by a set when he dropped serve in the seventh game of the second and reacted by slamming his right foot into an advertising board which hurt the official’s leg. Cilic was awarded the match despite trailing 6-7 4-3.

And an angry Argentinian said: “I am sorry. I am sorry to do that.

“Something it is a mistake. It is a tough moment to end a final like that. Sometimes we feel the pressure from the ATP. It is a mistake and I have to pay for that.

“Everybody makes mistakes.”