Former World no.1 Andy Murray admitted that he didn’t play well and lacked consistency in his third-round defeat against Alexander Zverev in the ongoing BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. The Brit had taken a break lead in both sets but failed to grab his opportunity when it mattered the most.

The German won by 6-4, 7-6, and thus ended Murray’s run in the tournament. It was always going to be a difficult task for Murray to go past the no.3 seed and he could not keep up with the youngster.

Murray won 67% of his first-serve points whereas Zverev bagged 73%. The German won a total of 82 points whereas Murray won 74.

“I don’t think I played well today,” said Murray. “There are lots of mistakes. There’s some good stuff in there but it was mixed in with bad. There was no sort of consistency I don’t think. “My average level was just not really there today. It was either good or bad. I wouldn’t put that down as playing really well.”

In fact, Murray had a 3-0 lead in the opening set but could not capitalize as Zverev broke Brit’s serve twice. Murray had the advantage in the second set but once again could not grab it.

“The consistency isn’t there. “The decision making is not great in the important moments still. They are moments that I was always very strong in and I haven’t been this year. So, disappointed with that. “The positive for me to take from it is I obviously had opportunities again. I didn’t feel like I played a great match and still had chances so that’s positive. But I’m disappointed because I obviously want to be winning these matches. I haven’t in the past few months.”

Zverev will face Gael Monfils in the fourth round of the tournament.