Andy Murray felt he took a step forward in the build-up to his US Open title defence despite a surprise exit from the Rogers Cup yesterday at the hands of Latvia’s mercurial Ernests Gulbis.

Murray suffered his first defeat in his second match back from a long break following his Wimbledon triumph, falling 6-4 6-3 to the talented but inconsistent Gulbis in the third round.

Murray has only the Cincinnati Masters to tune up for Flushing Meadows in little over a fortnight but he was not panicking after being on the receiving end of an inspired display.

“You can’t expect to play perfect straightaway. It takes time,” Murray told reporters.

“I was playing a very good player, someone that gives you very little rhythm on the court... but I actually thought I hit the ball better today than the day before.”

After resting up following Wimbledon, Murray had a training block in Miami en route to Montreal.

“I had a bit longer to prepare this year,” Murray said as he reflected on his run to last year’s US Open crown.

“But maybe I just need to make sure I get a few more matches in practice in the future.”