Jamie sees a positive future despite Indian Wells doubles exit

Jamie Murray believes that he and his partner Max Mirnyi have taken a big step forward this week in Indian Wells, despite losing 6-3, 6-4 in semi-finals of the Pacific Life Open to this year's Australian Open champions Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram on Thursday.

Murray and Mirnyi, who only got together in January, had never played a prestigious Masters Series tournament before, yet managed to beat the reigning Wimbledon champions Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra and the World No.1-ranked Bryan brothers in successive matches before running into the red-hot Israelis. Erlich and Ram proved to be a match too far.

"I think that they are definitely one of the better teams out there," said Mirnyi. "I think we got outplayed for most of the match. They played very, very well," agreed Murray. "They've got a lot of confidence right now and that showed tonight."

Murray and Mirnyi will now head to Miamifor the Sony Ericsson Open, another of the ATP Tour's more prestigious stops. By notching up three wins in Indian Wells, they have ensured that their team ranking will rise from its current position of 15th and got themselves nearer their goal of qualifying for the Masters Cup in Shanghai, where only the top eight teams at the end of the season will figure. More victories in Miamiwill see them rise yet further. Murray's individual ranking, currently 40, should also be higher when the new standings are released on Monday.

"We had a good tournament," said Murray. "We had two or three good wins and we' re looking forward to Miamiand to trying to get a run going there. We're on the right track, we're working hard and we're starting to form a good team and we're looking to keep it going over the next few months."