Murray: Lay-off cost me

Andy Murray has blamed falling at the first hurdle at the Rome Masters on his recent injury lay-off.

The British number one went out on Monday after losing in three sets to France's Gilles Simon in his first match since injuring his back early last month.

"I didn't feel great physically on the long rallies," Murray said on www.bbc.co.uk. "I was a bit rusty. It's always difficult when you come back after pretty much six weeks out of the Tour."

Simon won the first set 6-1 before a break for rain after which Murray took the next 6-1.

But a second weather delay allowed Simon to recover and win the decider 6-3.

Murray added: "It takes a little while to find your timing and get used to the kind of intensity that you play at week in, week out."