Murray falls short in Memphis semi

Andy Murray's bid for two straight ATP Tour titles was ended after Andy Roddick's revenge mission proved successful in the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships semi-final in Memphis.

The British number one succumbed 6-3 7-6 (7/4) to the top seed, who he beat at the same stage on the way to defending his SAP Open title in San Jose last week.

A slow start and finish were to blame for the defeat, with Murray twice looking well placed to take the match to a decider after dropping the first set before collapsing in a second-set tie breaker. Roddick will play defending champion Tommy Haas in the final.

On a run of eight straight wins and boasting a 3-1 record against his opponent after beating him on the way to defending his SAP Open title earlier in the week, the Scot should not have lacked confidence.

But he never recovered from dropping his opening service game, allowing Roddick to take the set 6-3.

Serving first, Roddick held to love, polishing off the opening game with a trademark ace. In a nervy start, a flurry of unforced Murray errors handed his opponent three break points, saving two before another error made it 2-0.

Roddick confirmed the break with another love service game before Murray got off the mark with a hold to 15. He took Roddick to deuce in the next before his own serve continued to improve with a quickfire love hold.

But Murray was struggling to make inroads on a usually-inconsistent Roddick serve as the pair again both held. Serving for the set, Roddick comfortably held to 15 thanks to another Murray error.

Murray's malaise continued in the first game of the second set, Roddick matching him from the back of the court to force three deuces and a break point before Murray held with a smart crosscourt forehand.

Roddick found his opening service game no more difficult than those in the first set, another ace making it 1-1. Neither player appeared keen to venture forward but Murray was standing at least two feet behind the baseline on his own serve.