Andy Murray’s will make the most of US Open exit by resting up for Great Britain’s Davis Cup semi-final with Argentina

ANDY MURRAY may be out of the US Open — but it finally lets him put his feet up ahead of Great Britain’s crucial Davis Cup tie next week.

Murray’s dream of being the fourth man in Open-era tennis to reach all four Grand Slam finals in a year was ended by Kei Nishikori in the quarter-final.

But the extra rest before Glasgow’s Davis Cup semi-final with Argentina next week is more than welcome after  defending his Olympic title in Rio last month and  winning a second Wimbledon crown.

Muzza said: “I’m due a few days off and I’ll use them well because I will need a lot of energy. It should be a great atmosphere, great occasion.

“I’d like a bit more time off which I will get when the Davis Cup is done — but I need to be smart in the next few days.

“Davis Cup takes a lot out of you over the weekend, especially if you play all three days.

“I’ll need to make sure I not only physically recover but mentally as well because it’s always a stressful few days. It’s been a hard summer.”

Champions Britain have not retained the World Cup of tennis since 1936.

Beating Argentina and then Croatia or France in November’s final would cap a fine year for Muzza.

Even though his five-set US Open defeat to Nishikori robbed him of the chance to join Rod Laver, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the club of males to contest four Slam finals in a year.

Wednesday’s loss also ended a run of seven finals in a row and dents Murray’s bid to depose Djokovic and become the first Brit to world No 1.

If the Serb retains his US Open title, and with it 2000 ranking points, overhauling him will be harder. But Murray  never  shirks a  challenge. He is used to playing three Davis Cup best-of-five-setters  in three days.

Murray looks set to face Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro on Friday after he lost his US Open quarter-final to Stan Wawrinka yesterday.

That would mean a repeat of the Olympic final before Saturday’s doubles with brother Jamie and singles again on the Sunday.

Quite how he would have done that if he had reached Sunday’s US Open final is now only a hypothetical question.