A proud Andy Murray said he "gave everything" as his 4:05 am finish caught up with him in a typically defiant third-round loss at the Australian Open on Saturday.

The 35-year-old bowed out to 24th-seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1, 6-7 (7/9), 6-3, 6-4, but was given a huge ovation by an appreciative Melbourne Park crowd.

Britain's Murray was clearly feeling the effects of his epic five-setter in round two, which started on Thursday but ended in the early hours of Friday.

Now ranked 66th and sporting a metal hip, the former world number one said he took "great memories" from the first Grand Slam of the year.

The three-time major champion admitted having "mixed emotions", saying: "I gave everything that I had the last three matches — I'm very proud of that.

"But I'm also disappointed because I put loads of work into the beginning of this year and was playing well enough to have a really good run, have a deep run."

Murray did not look to make excuses, but said that after two five-setters to get to round three and his early-morning finish against Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis "my feet didn't feel great".

The epic five-setter in round two had lasted a gruelling five hours and 45 minutes — the longest match of Murray's storied career.

"My legs were actually okay," he said. "They weren't too bad, but I was struggling with my lower back. That was affecting my serve."

Murray, who looked all set to retire four years ago before undergoing career-saving surgery, was 3-0 down in a flash in the first set against Bautista.

But he had Margaret Court Arena firmly in his corner and a huge cheer went up when he finally got on the board, holding serve for 3-1.

It was to be only a temporary reprieve as the Spaniard raced away with the first set in a lopsided 29 minutes.

Murray held serve to start the second set but he appeared sluggish.