55 unforced errors cost Murray semifinal chance in Dubai Classic

Third-seeded Andy Murray was knocked out of the Dubai Classic on Thursday, losing to 18-year-old Borna Coric 6-1, 6-3 in the quarterfinals.

Murray, who reached the Australian Open final at the beginning of the month, had 55 unforced errors and only 15 winners against the Croatian teen. Many of his shots were landing in the net or sailing beyond the lines.

Coric, who never offered Murray a break-point opportunity, reached his second career ATP semifinal. His first was last year in Basel, Switzerland.

Murray, 2012 finalist, had little to say on court against the lucky loser from qualifying rounds who entered the main draw when Philip Kohlschreiber withdrew.

Coric will face the winner from six-time champion Roger Federer and France's Richard Gasquet.

"I made way too many mistakes from the beginning of the match right through to the end, early in rallies, rushing points," Murray said.

"It's disappointing, obviously. He moved well, made a lot of balls, very few errors. Made it tough.

"I wouldn't say I felt bad when I went on the court. I would definitely say I was a little bit sluggish at the beginning of the match, but in the second set I started to move a bit better and play a little bit better. But, yeah, I started the match not good.

"When you're playing at this level, you can't really get away with that. I will need to try and improve on that."

The 84th-ranked Coric levelled his record with Britain's former Wimbledon winner at 1-1 after Murray won a Davis Cup meeting in 2013.

The Croatian added Murray to his elite victim's list after defeating Rafael Nadal last autumn in a Basel quarterfinal a week before the ailing Spaniard underwent appendix surgery. Endi