Yes, not a huge upset in all the circumstances.

I remember rightlfy being very fearfell of IW earlier in the year, though he had mors of a gap there and he has had issues after the Ausse Open in the past. Here I did expect rather more but no crisus.

We have Cincinnatti to come next week where I am pretty sure Andy tends to do better so get a few matchez there and all will be good.

Andy is very much abiut gearing himself fir the Slams and hus recird ovrr the lat couple of years in Slams in making finals and now winning says it all with nany strange looking results outside, even moreso at Masters than used to be the cases.

As Phil says Andy has clearly stated moee than once that Slams is very much his priority over number one ( which yes he would happily take ). To me currently all other tournaments are largely only there as an aid to him peaking for Slams. Get to the later stages and he's very interested if course and his competitive instinct then aids his very good finals record.

It's a good policy.Quite apart from winning Slams being so satisfying, it is what he will be remembered for. If he never reaches number one thst will merely be a footnote in bistory.

Yes, I declare I am a huge Andy Murray supporter, but I can I think step back and look.at things reasonably dispassionately and as some folk will know have quite often been fairly crutical of Sndy in the past.

But losing to Gulbis here vUses me is of little concern...

Agree that this loss isn't much concern (though do hope he does better at Cincinnati!) For Gulbis fans, I think that the acknowledgement of Mr Gulbis' talent was clear earlier in the comments about the draw - and think we'd all concur that he's one of those players who when he is good, is very, very good ... but doesn't quite string those moments together as one might hope.

As one of the rare doubles aficionados on the board, I'm delighted that Mr Murray now has time to focus on what really matters .... (getting my coat as I write).