Another spectacular trip on the Andy Murray rollercoaster, another disconcerting shunt at the end of the journey. Twas ever thus with the British No 1 and it is likely that it will be this vertiginous way for as long as he showcases his particular brand of tennis at the world’s premier venues.

Murray departed Roland Garros yesterday on the back of a 6-3, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5 defeat by Nicolas Almagro, of Spain, the hottest clay-court property of the year. Nothing was spared in the Scot’s performance: he started slothfully, gathered momentum, aced his way to prominence, let eight games of nine slide by, survived a match point with an audacious forehand volley behind a brutal first serve, broke Almagro in the next game, was broken back, threw his cap in the dirt and was finally beaten by the most classic shot in the Spaniard’s repertoire, a flicked, top-spin backhand, cross-court winner.

Murray played a couple of bad games and lost, but that is the way it is at this level, with any dip exposed by the high order of player.

Almagro is a definite contender here and even Rafael Nadal, a probable quarter-final opponent, will not relish having to face someone who serves with his panache, troublesome variation and clinical marksmanship.

Murray said that his performances on clay have stood him in excellent stead to be among the main contenders in the future and there is some justification to that argument, tempered by him winning only two matches in his two main-draw appearances at the French Open. “I’ve moved from 22 in the rankings to No 11 and very close to getting in the top ten, so it’s been a very significant season for me,” Murray said. “I believe I’m right up there and in a couple of years I’ll be among the best clay-court players.”

That is as may be. He did win a couple of rounds this time, so that is progress. He has lost to some handy players in the past couple of months – Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Stanislas Wawrinka and Almagro to name but four. From all of those, he has stored knowledge and wisdom, for he is a player with a bright mind and brilliant game. He will be wounded, naturally, for a couple of days, but he has never been in better shape for the grass, where hero status awaits.

“Of course, my aim is to win it [Wimbledon],” he said. “It’s going to be really tough but I’m one of the best volleyers, my serve is working well and I’m going to give it my best shot.”

Plenty of those were on display yesterday, though Almagro, in a succession of vibrant flourishes, can win a set before an opponent has played a bad game. Murray got almost everything right and still it was not enough.

In London next week he will attend the launch of his autobiography – some effort at 21 years of age – called Hitting Back. It is billed as a sensational tome, but will probably fall short of the publisher’s hyperbole. Somehow, one believes the same will not happen to Murray the player.

If the Scot was a bit upset yesterday, it was nothing in comparison with the Williams family. No sooner had Serena Williams, the only former champion left in the field, lost in straight sets to Katarina Srebotnik, the Slovenian No 1, than her sister, Venus, followed her out of the door, losing 7-5, 6-3 to the No 26 seed, Flavia Pennetta, of Italy.