 Murray suffered only his fourth defeat of the year
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World number four Andy Murray suffered a surprise defeat as he lost 6-1 3-6 5-7 to Argentine qualifier Juan Monaco in round two of the Rome Masters.
Murray, who had a first-round bye, took the first set in 33 minutes but struggled on serve in the second.
The Scot came back from 4-2 down in the decider but clay-specialist Monaco broke for 6-5 and served out.
It is the first time Murray, 21, has lost his opening match at a tournament since the 2008 Olympics.
Monaco faces Marin Cilic in round three after the Croat overcame Belgium's Christophe Rochus 6-0 5-7 6-2.
The Argentine condemned Murray to only his fourth defeat of 2009 - the other three coming against world number one Rafael Nadal in Indian Wells and Monte Carlo and to Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open.
Murray's preparations for the French Open appeared in rude health as his clay court season began with a run to the semi-finals in Monte Carlo, but he showed there is still much work to be done before Roland Garros gets under way on 24 May.
The British number one made just 57% of his first serves, compared to Monaco's 81%, and looked weary as he was broken to fall 6-5 behind in the third set.
World number two Roger Federer is in second-round action against Ivo Karlovic and he is followed on Stadio Pietrangeli by world number one Rafael Nadal , who takes on Andreas Seppi.
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