Andy Murray confirmed no indicators of his current cramping points as he rolled previous twenty fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo to attain the second spherical of the US Open on Monday.
The 35-year-old went into the match having solely received one match on the north American onerous courts this season and with issues over persistent cramping however this proved to be a comparatively easy outing in humid circumstances.
Argentinian Cerundolo has received the vast majority of his rating factors on clay and Murray had to grind his manner via loads of lengthy rallies on his manner to a 7-5 6-3 6-3 victory, with the one actual destructive a failure to serve out all three units.
It was the primary time Murray has received a straight-sets match at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 5 years in the past, and he mentioned: “That felt like five sets to me. It’s very tricky conditions, very humid and hot. I was really happy with the way I got through that one, it was not easy.”
Ten years on from his maiden grand slam title, and with Ivan Lendl again in his field, Murray maintains optimism that he can have extra memorable Grand Slam days.
On-court teaching is allowed this 12 months for the primary time, and Murray mentioned of Lendl with a smile: “He’s a man of few words. He wasn’t saying loads but to have him there supporting me is really important. He’s still there supporting me at this stage in my career when many people wouldn’t.”
He has not been past the second spherical at Flushing Meadows since 2016 however this was a sort draw. Cerundolo continues to be searching for his first important draw victory at a serious and is inexperienced on onerous playing cards.
Murray recorded his first straight-sets win at a Grand Slam in 5 years
Murray made a shaky start, dropping his opening service sport on Louis Armstrong Stadium, scene of some tortuous battles for the Scot earlier than it was rebuilt.
He instantly set about attempting to guarantee this might not be one other, successful 4 video games in a row and showing poised to take the primary set solely to play an terrible service sport at 5-3.
He was livid in the subsequent sport when Cerundolo was awarded some extent regardless of the ball showing to bounce twice as he lunged to decide up a drop volley.
The umpire was powerless to overturn his choice however, after two sluggish movement replays on the large display screen backed up Murray, Cerundolo sportingly awarded the purpose to his opponent – a gesture the Scot thanked him for after the match.
Cerundolo, who had misplaced all 4 earlier matches in opposition to British gamers, nonetheless held serve however then donated the set to his opponent two video games later with a double fault.
Murray cruised right into a 5-0 lead in the second earlier than dropping three video games in a row however it was the Scot basically in full management now and, barring one other failure to serve out a set, he completed strongly.
The former world No 1 believes he could be a ‘fairly harmful’ opponent in the draw as he appears for a deep run at a Grand Slam
Speaking to Prime Video, Murray mentioned: “Top win that. He’s had an excellent year and I knew it was going to be difficult but I thought I did pretty well in the important moments. It was getting tough towards the end and I think both of us were physically struggling a bit.
“I assumed I did nicely contemplating that mentally it isn’t straightforward going right into a five-set match in these circumstances in opposition to a man who makes you progress rather a lot. With what’s occurred just lately, I did nicely mentally to get via that. It’s vital to give myself a pat on the again with that stuff generally as a result of it is uncommon that anybody else does.”
He added: “I hope (to be) fairly harmful. If I play like that and possibly serve just a little bit higher, which I feel I’ll because the match goes on. The circumstances listed here are whenever you land the primary serve, it is nice, you will get a lot of free factors. The ball is travelling fast, it is flying a bit so that you want to get a really feel for it, however as soon as that clicks I’ll play higher.”
The Scot will next face American world No 203 Emilio Nava after the 20-year-old upset veteran Australian John Millman 7-6 (9-7) 4-6 6-7 (7-4) 1-6 6-1.
Edmund makes his Grand Slam return, but bows out to Ruud
Britain’s Kyle Edmund has undergone three knee operations, however he returned to Grand Slam motion in New York
Kyle Edmund was overwhelmed by Casper Ruud on his return to Grand Slam tennis however gave an honest account of himself in opposition to the fifth seed.
Edmund had not performed a singles match at any of tennis’ greatest occasions for the reason that US Open in 2020, after which he underwent three knee operations earlier than lastly making his return earlier this summer season.
He was given a really robust draw in opposition to French Open finalist Ruud, who’s a contender for the title, and got here up brief in a 6-3 7-5 6-2 defeat.
Medvedev begins title defence with assured opening win
Daniil Medvedev his US Open title defence by walloping American Stefan Kozlov in sweltering circumstances on Arthur Ashe Stadium
Defending champion Daniil Medvedev was first out on Arthur Ashe Stadium and he made brief work of American Stefan Kozlov.
Medvedev, one among 5 males who may finish the match at world No 1, dropped simply six video games in a 6-2 6-4 6-0 victory.
“Most pleased to win first of all – not easy conditions,” mentioned Medvedev, who arrange a gathering with Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in the second spherical. “Serve was quite the key today.”
Yibing Wu grew to become the primary man from China to win a Grand Slam singles match in the open period when he beat Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3 6-4 6-0.
The 22-year-old received the 2017 US Open boys singles and doubles titles.
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