New York, Sep. 12 : After semi-final defeat to Rafael Nadal in the US Open, British tennis star Andy Murray still retains a belief that a major title is within his grasp

Murray insists he "felt OK" after losing to Nadal - "the best player there has ever been" - and says continually getting close to the prize is an incentive, not dispiriting.

The Guardian quoted him, as saying: "I''m not having a go at the guys. I''m having a go at myself because I get frustrated. It is something I always have done since I was young, although it is something I need to improve on. That''s not the reason I lost the match, but it is something that could give me an extra one or two per cent. There is one or two per cent in my game and one or two per cent in my head and my focus."

" I have found a decent balance in the last few months but it still needs to get better," he added.

Murray revealed that one factor in his defeat was his suspicion that the heavy end-of-tournament schedule would sap even his remarkable fitness.

Murray reckons he is tantalisingly close to breaking through for his first major - a faith not shared by his critics.

Murray said: "It''s been a good year and not many people have done what I have done [reached the semi-finals of all four grand slam singles in one season], which would suggest it has been a good season. It''s tough each time you get to that stage and come up a little bit short. That is difficult to take. Obviously I want to go further and the only way I can do that is by working hard, improving my game and getting physically fitter. That''s basically all I can do in the next few months before Australia." (ANI)