(BBC) Andy Murray battled hard but succumbed to American Mardy Fish 6-7 (7-9) 6-1 7-6 (7-5) in intense heat in the last eight of the Cincinnati Masters yesterday.

While not at his best, world number four Murray showed resilience to take the first set on a tie-break.
The Scot was treated court-side for the heat in the second set, which Fish took with ease as Murray’s strength waned.

Murray showed immense reserve to force the final set to a tie-break but Fish proved just too strong for the Scot.

World number 36 Fish will now face close friend Andy Roddick in the semi-finals after he beat Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5.

And Roger Federer is also into the last four after a 6-4 7-5 win over Nikolay Davydenko of Russia.

The defeat also ends Murray’s seven-match unbeaten run which includes his success at the Rogers Cup in Toronto last week.

The players took to the court at 12pm local time (1700 BST) in temperatures reaching 33 degrees in the shade, after Murray’s request for a later start on Friday was rejected by tournament officials.

The world number four had struggled with rising temperatures in Ohio during his three-set victory over Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis on Thursday.

“If you ask for a late match and you’re put on first, that’s not…that’s pretty,” said Murray, hesitating to pick his words carefully.

“I don’t ever request really when to play. I don’t make many demands at all during the tournaments.”

Murray said his request was rejected because organisers said opponent Fish was playing doubles later in the day.

“I’m not sure, the way the tennis works, I don’t think matches should be scheduled around the doubles because it’s the singles that’s on the TV,” he added.

While not at his fluid best, especially his serve, Murray managed to hold on during a hard-fought first set.

Neither player could pierce the other’s serve, with the Scot prevailing in an equally tight tie-break.

However, the complexion of the match shifted when Murray took a bathroom break early in the second.

The cool, air-conditioned indoor surroundings had a catastrophic effect on Murray’s well-being, complaining of dizziness after losing his serve in the first and third games.