Murray finds fault with methods of Spanish coach

Andrew Murray, Britain's 18-year-old US Open junior champion, has parted from his coach, the veteran Pato Alvarez, of Spain, and will be guided through the grass-court season by Mark Petchey, the Lawn Tennis Association's manager of men's national training.

Andrew Murray, Britain's 18-year-old US Open junior champion, has parted from his coach, the veteran Pato Alvarez, of Spain, and will be guided through the grass-court season by Mark Petchey, the Lawn Tennis Association's manager of men's national training.

"I just wasn't enjoying things on or off the court," said Murray, who is based at the Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy in Barcelona. "Pato was trying to get me to play in a way I didn't like and it just wasn't working. He wanted me to be less aggressive and play like the Spanish players. That's not the way I play. I like to play hard."

Murray, competing here in his first junior event since his victory at Flushing Meadows last September, won his opening match yesterday against Piero Luisi, a diminutive Venezuelan, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.

Having recovered from a break down at 3-4 to take the opening set, Murray, who had an upset stomach, slipped to 0-4 en route to losing the second set. Although his form improved in the final set, Murray was broken when first serving for the match at 5-1.

He celebrated victory on his fourth match point by belting a ball out of court, across a road and into the front of one of the most elegant houses in the district.