World number four Andy Murray suffered a perhaps surprising defeat to Argentine qualifier Juan Monaco in round two (Murray’s first match) of the Rome Masters.

The argentine won the match in three sets after Murray had earlier looked to be cruising to a straight sets win and in the end losing 6-1 3-6 5-7.

Murray, who turns just 22 in a few weeks had a first-round bye and took the first set in quick time finishing of the set in just 33 minutes but struggled with his own serve in the second set which allowed Monaco to take advantage and hit back.

Murray’s struggles continued in the third and found himself 4-2 down, but the the Scot hit back to level at 4-4 in the decider. However the Argentine “clay-specialist” Monaco broke for 6-5 lead and served out the set to take his first win against Murray.

The pair had met once before earlier this year when Murray beat Monaco in the first round on his way to his third masters in Miami. 

World number one and two Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both progressed to the third round.

Monaco’s victory over Murray means he will meet Marin Cilic in round three after the Croat overcame Belgium’s Christophe Rochus 6-0 5-7 6-2.

British number one Andy Murray limped out of the Rome Masters in the second round to Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka.

The Scot tennis ace, seeded 16th this week and currently ranked 18 world went down 6-2 7-6.

Murray failed to impress or offer any real resistance in a first set where he was out played and lost his serve twice to the Swiss number 2, Wawrinka.

Murray showed more fight and class in teh second set, though ultimatly it would not be enough to turn the tie. Murray earned an early break of serve, but the Swiss’ star manged 7 break points in the second set with Murray only managing to save six. which meant the set headed into a tie break.

In the tiebreak it was nip and tuck, but Wawrinka’s consistency took its toll on the wayward Murray, after saving a few match points, Murray’s resolve ran out.

Murray managed only one here in Rome, bringing his total to 3 matches won and 3 matches lost on clay this season, ultimately to the best form to be taking into the French open at the end of this month. Murray will have one more chance at Hamburg masters next week – the tournament were last year he damaged his wrist putting him out the game for 4 months and missing both the the french open and Wimbledon.

Juan Carlos Ferrero earlier in the day knocked out the favourite Rafael Nadal, Nadal suffering from a major blister, which is perhaps a result of tough clay Court season he is having to endure.