Tennis: Andy Murray conceded just reaching the final of the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles was an achievement in his first tournament without a new coach.
Murray lost 5-7 7-6 (7/2) 6-3 to defending champion and second seed Sam Querrey at the end of a week which began with him splitting from coach Miles Maclagan.
A late entrant into the tournament after Novak Djokovic withdrew, top seed Murray performed erratically on his way to the final and squandered the chance to seal the title with a match point in the second set.
Nevertheless, the Scot was reasonably content with the way things went.
Murray told www.atpworldtour.com: "It was a good week. Disappointed to lose today but if you take the circumstances into consideration I have to be happy with getting to the final. I had a good week, I enjoyed it.
"Each match I felt better physically. I played reasonably well today, better than the other matches."
For Querrey it was it a fitting end to a tough week which had seen him made to battle for everything, including saving match points in both the semi-final against Janko Tipsarevic and the final.
It was also revenge for the defeat he suffered when he played Murray at Wimbledon.
"All four matches were really exciting this week," said the 22-year-old American, who now has four titles to his name this year. "It was nice to get through them all and it feels great. This is the first time that I've actually tried to defend a title.
"The last two sets today were great, Andy is one of those players who allows me to hit my shots."
Querrey went a break up early in the first set, but Murray fought back and took the set when Querrey double-faulted.
The American produced a fine lunging volley to save break point in game eight of the second, but when Murray held for 5-4, Querrey found himself serving to stay in the match.
The second seed pulled a forehand wide to give Murray championship point, but the Scot could not take advantage.
In the tie-break, Querrey raced into a 4-1 lead in the tie-break, then when Murray went long the American had four set points at 6-2, but he only needed one as he sealed the set with a trademark big forehand.
The third set went with serve until game six, when Murray netted a drop shot to hand a break to his opponent - and when Querrey held it was the Scot's turn to serve to stay in the match.
Murray held in style, and earned a break point in the next game, but Querrey saved it, then saw his opponent go long to hand him the title.