Murray booted out of Cincinnati Masters

Olympic champion Andy Murray was sent crashing out of the Cincinnati Masters on Thursday, going down to a shock 6-4, 6-4 defeat at the hands of French lucky loser Jeremy Chardy.

Murray, the defending champion at this US Open warm-up event, won just one match in Toronto last week before withdrawing with a knee injury but he looked impressive in his Cincinnati opener against Sam Querrey on Wednesday.

However, he was distinctly under-cooked against Chardy and his 16th unforced error of the second set sent the Frenchman into the last eight.

Murray became Chardy’s second seeded victim of the week after beating Andy Roddick, another two-time Cincinnati winner, in the first round.

Meanwhile, the recent exertions of winning Wimbledon and a pair of Olympic gold medals appeared to be catching up with Serena Williams as the fatigued second seed stumbled through into the quarter-finals.

Williams, 30, scratched her way to a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Urszula Radwanska.

The Polish challenger, younger sister of top seed Agnieszka Radwanska, led twice in the opening set but was unable to overpower the American.

“I was tired out there,” confessed Williams, who has never won this hardcourt event.

“I just told myself to try and move my feet a bit, get through this match and go get some rest.

“My main goal is to do well at the US Open. I need to make sure I’m fit and healthy for that. I need match-play on these courts, they are so much slower than Wimbledon. A winner there is not a winning shot here.”

Williams, who lost serve four times while breaking her opponent on six occasions, said she is not at 100 percent.

“I was holding back a bit and struggling with some aches and pains like every athlete,” admitted Williams.

Her sister, Venus however had an easy work of S. Errani, beating her 6-3, 6-0.

Top seed Agnieszka Radwanska beat American Sloane Stephens 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 while fourth seed, and former Wimbledon winner, Petra Kvitova advanced over China’s Peng Shuai, 6-2, 6-2.

German fifth seed Angelique Kerber beat Czech Andrea Hlavackova 6-4, 7-6 (7/5).

In the men’s event, 2009 US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro, who missed 2010 due to right wrist surgery, had troubles with his left wrist, requiring taping on his arm in the worst moments of his 7-6 (7/2), 2-6, 6-1 defeat of Serb Viktor Troicki.

American 10th seed Mardy Fish continued to perform well on his home cement courts, beating Czech Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-3 with seven aces and 23 winners in 90 minutes.

“He’s been a very tough opponent for me over the years, he’s beaten me pretty soundly most of the time. I certainly felt good,” said Fish.

“I feel fresh and strong. This summer has gone well for me as far as getting my match fitness back.”

Roger Federer also beat B. Tomic 6-2, 6-4 to advance in two sets.