New York ? Disappointed.

That was the word Andy Murray used over and over to describe how he felt about his exit from the U.S. Open.

After all, Murray arrived at Flushing Meadows ranked No. 2, owner of a tour-leading 37 wins on hard courts this season — and quite sure he was prepared to win his first Grand Slam title a year after reaching the U.S. Open final. Instead, he heads home after the fourth round, a 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 loser to No. 16 Marin Cilic of Croatia on Tuesday.

“I just struggled today. I played poorly,” Murray said. “I could have been better in pretty much every part of the game, whether it was mental or serve, forehand, backhand, returns.”

And now Murray will slide back to No. 3 or 4 in the rankings, behind Rafael Nadal, who will move up by virtue of beating No. 13 Gael Monfils, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-1, 6-3, in Tuesday night’s last match to get to the quarterfinals.

Murray’s loss, at least for one evening, turned into the talk of a tournament that had been generating very little buzz about the men’s field. Instead, the focus has been on the women’s event, thanks to the surprising emergence of 17-year-old American Melanie Oudin and the quick comeback of former No. 1 Kim Clijsters.

Oudin plays in the first major quarterfinal of her nascent career today and Clijsters already is into the semifinals, where she will face a Williams for the second time this tournament.

Clijsters beat Venus Williams in the fourth round; now she will take on defending champion Serena Williams, who improved to 23-1 in Grand Slam singles matches this season by beating No. 10 Flavia Pennetta of Italy, 6-4, 6-3, Tuesday night.

Next for Cilic is a match against No. 6 Juan Martin del Potro, who beat 2003 French Open champion and U.S. Open finalist Juan Carlos Ferrero, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

In another fourth-round men’s match, No. 11 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile eliminated No. 7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-4.

NFL

Hartwig signs 4-year deal

Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh Steelers center Justin Hartwig has signed a four-year contract on Tuesday, two days before the season opener against Tennessee.

The Steelers have a policy of not negotiating with players once a season begins, so Hartwig’s deal — which runs through 2012 — is likely the last until the offseason.

Hartwig, a Kansas University product, enters his second season as the Steelers’ center and eighth in the NFL. He has started 79 career games, including some with Tennessee and Carolina. Hartwig was a sixth-round pick by Tennessee in 2002 and signed with Pittsburgh after being cut by Carolina following the 2007 season.

In other NFL moves:

• The New England Patriots have signed rookie tight end Robbie Agnone to the practice squad.

• Richard Seymour failed to report to Oakland for a second straight day Tuesday after being traded from the Patriots. Seymour, a five-time Pro Bowl defensive end, was acquired from the Patriots on Sunday in exchange for Oakland’s first-round draft pick in 2011.

• The Philadelphia Eagles have signed veteran tight end Alex Smith. The Eagles signed Smith to a one-year contract on Tuesday and released tight end Tony Curtis.

• Starting left tackle Langston Walker has been released by the Buffalo Bills in another effort to shake up a sputtering offense. The Bills also re-signed offensive lineman Kirk Chambers, who was among the team’s final cuts last weekend.

• Junior Seau would consider returning to the Patriots if they again come calling this season. The 40-year-old linebacker told the Associated Press on Tuesday he would sign only with New England because of his familiarity with the team. He’s willing to play up to six games — any more would cut too much into his time with his children.

• Danny Woodhead is back with the Jets. The small and shifty running back was signed to New York’s practice squad Tuesday, two days after being cut. The Jets released fullback Jehuu Caulcrick to make room on the eight-man unit. Earlier Tuesday, the Jets signed free agent linebacker Ryan Fowler and waived fullback Jason Davis.

• The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed guard Kynan Forney and safety Brian Russell to fill out their 53-man roster. The team also waived offensive lineman Dennis Norman on Tuesday.

Vikes’ Williamses to play

Minneapolis — Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams will be able to play in the season-opener at Cleveland this weekend, regardless of what happens with their court case against the NFL.

The Williamses, who are not related, are challenging four-game suspensions handed down by the league for violating the league’s drug policy last summer.

The case is still tied up in court, but NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Tuesday the suspensions will not begin this weekend in any event.

NASCAR

Mayfield sues stepmother

Salisbury, N.C. — Suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against his estranged stepmother over the 2007 death of his father.

The suit, filed Sept. 4 in North Carolina Superior Court, does not allege how Lisa Mayfield was involved in her husband’s death. It only claims her “intentional actions” played a direct role in Terry Mayfield’s death.

A police investigation determined Terry Mayfield died from a suicidal gunshot wound to the chest.

NBA

Riley: Heat support Beasley

Miami — Michael Beasley is in daily contact with the Miami Heat and is working out under the direction of team personnel, with plans of being with the team when training camp begins later this month.

Speaking about Beasley for the first time since the 20-year-old entered a Houston rehabilitation facility last month, Heat president Pat Riley said Tuesday that he’s “confident … very confident” Beasley will have a strong season for Miami and insisted he still strongly believes in the No. 2 overall pick from the 2008 draft.

“I was told this by somebody: Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future,” Riley said. “You can’t put yourself above and beyond anybody. We all have periods where things haven’t gone our way for whatever reason, and we’ve all had an opportunity to grow. Because of what’s happened in the past, we hope there’s growth spurts for him.”

Riley could not reveal specifics about the manner of treatment Beasley is receiving, citing privacy concerns. Those close to Beasley, including his personal manager Bruce Shingler, have said repeatedly in recent weeks that they are not willing to discuss the exact details of the treatment.

High School Football

Mom upset by baptism

Louisville, Ky.– The parents of a 16-year-old Kentucky football player who was baptized along with some teammates during a trip organized by their coach said Tuesday they believe their son may have felt some pressure to go through with the ceremony.

Parents said the voluntary trip was organized by Breckinridge County High School football coach Scott Mooney, who is a member of the Baptist church where the revival was held Aug. 26.

Dannie Ammons told the Associated Press he had no idea his son, Robert Coffey, was being taken to a church in another county on a school bus. The teen told them he was going to see a motivational speaker. Eight or nine other players were baptized at Franklin Crossroads Baptist Church, he said.

The teen’s mother, Michelle Ammons, said her son told her he was using his iPod during the sermon and didn’t remember what was discussed.

Baseball

Royals call up Gordon

Kansas City, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals have recalled third baseman Alex Gordon from Triple-A Omaha and selected the contract of left-hander Lenny DiNardo.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 draft, Gordon missed three months after hip surgery in April and hit .227 in 22 games before the Royals sent him down to Omaha on Aug. 18.

The Royals placed right-hander Doug Waechter (shoulder surgery) on the 60-day DL to make room for DiNardo on the 40-man roster on Tuesday.

Rodney suspended 3 games

Kansas City, Mo. — Detroit Tigers closer Fernando Rodney has been suspended for three games and fined for throwing a ball toward the stands following a game last week.

The penalty, announced Tuesday by baseball vice president for discipline Bob Watson, comes after Rodney threw a ball toward the seats and into the press box at Tropicana Field following Detroit’s 4-3 win at Tampa Bay on Friday night. No one was hit by the ball and Rodney said afterward that he was throwing it to the fans.

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said Rodney clearly didn’t have any intent to injure anyone and will appeal the suspension.