Briton Andy Murray said he was on track to become a threat on clay courts despite his early exit from the Barcelona Open.

The world number 19 lost 6-4 6-4 to Croatia's Mario Ancic in the second round on Tuesday after a performance the young Scot described as "a little flat".

Spanish coach Alex Corretja, twice a runner-up at the French Open, has been signed up to help Murray during the claycourt season and the 20-year-old said he thought the partnership would soon bear fruit.

"I'm sure Alex is going to help me a lot," Murray said. "Last week (in Monte Carlo) showed I have made some improvements on clay but I am sure I can get better.

"I just need to play more matches on it and get used to the way I need to play on the surface. I've only played at the French Open once so I am looking forward to it."

Having missed most of the 2007 claycourt season because of injury, Murray said he was still feeling his way back on the surface.

"I am getting better but there are still a lot of improvements I need to make," he said. "Obviously I need to work on a lot more things before I can say I am a very good player on clay.

"I am not anywhere near there yet.

"Last week I thought was good for me. I was a bit disappointed with the first set against (Novak) Djokovic (which he lost 6-0) but (Feliciano) Lopez and (Filippo) Volandri are both good claycourt players and to beat them in straight sets was good for me."

Reuters