Andy Murray put to mattress any damage considerations as he made it by way of to the second spherical of the US Open together with fellow Brits Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old, champion at Flushing Meadows in 2012, was compelled to withdraw from this yr’s warm-up tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati after struggling an stomach pressure.
But he put any doubts behind him as he grew to become the eighth man to register 200 Grand Slam victories in the Open period with an entertaining 6-2 7-5 6-3 victory over France’s Corentin Moutet on Grandstand Court.
‘The finest I’ve performed since 2017’
Murray stated it felt wonderful to be taking part in on the US Open once more and feels it is the very best tennis he is performed since 2017
“He’s one of the most skilful players on the tour, with so many ways to disrupt you, and he always causes a little bit of chaos,” stated Murray of Moutet.
“I hope it was entertaining, there have been some enjoyable factors, so I’m completely satisfied to get by way of in straight units.
“It was an extended one, however the best way we play it was in all probability all the time going to be like that. Three hours is so much shorter than a few of my matches!
“I’m at my highest ranking since I had the metal hip put in so I’m happy with that. It’s not been an easy journey and I’d like to be ranked higher. This is the best I’ve played consistently since probably since 2017. I’m happy to be going and progressing.”
How Murray made it by way of to the second spherical
It might have been a straight-sets win however, sometimes with Murray, there was loads of drama and even a VAR controversy, the primary of its form at Flushing Meadows.
Murray dominated the primary set however a flat passage of play noticed him fall a break down in the second as Moutet’s use of slices and drop photographs, started to trigger the Scot issues.
Moutet smashed his racket after failing to serve out the second set with Murray breaking again earlier than successful the second set
However, Murray had a let-off when Moutet double-faulted on set level, after which a fortunate web wire helped him break again.
Murray was again in full irritant mode and it acquired to Moutet, who smashed his racket on the ground, twice, because the second set acquired away from him.
Murray secured the primary break of the match in the sixth sport of the opening set following an excellent drop shot winner
Moutet suffered a nasty fall on the baseline, touchdown on his wrist, however was ready to proceed and saved 4 break factors in his subsequent service sport.
But Murray struck on the subsequent alternative and served out for victory – following a video replay verify for a double-bounce which, embarrassingly for organisers who launched it this yr, proved inconclusive – in slightly below three hours.
The US Open used VAR for the primary time in tennis historical past throughout Murray’s opening match, however issues went a bit unsuitable!
Milestone win for Murray
Murray has joined an illustrious record by reaching 200 Grand Slam wins, headed by his three major profession rivals in Roger Federer (369), Novak Djokovic (355) and Rafael Nadal (314).
That trio are greater than 80 wins away from anybody else, with Jimmy Connors in fourth (233), forward of Andre Agassi (224) and Murray’s coach Ivan Lendl (222).
The Scot is simply three wins behind Pete Sampras (203) in seventh and can transfer above the 14-time main champion with a run to the quarter-finals on the US Open.
Tale of the Tape
Match evaluation
Tim Henman breaks down the important thing statistics behind Murray’s spectacular opening victory at Flushing Meadows.
Tim Henman felt Murray’s managed aggression was key in his win over Moutet, with over half of his hit factors coming from contained in the baseline
Who’s subsequent for Murray?
The three-time Grand Slam champion will tackle Grigor Dimitrov in a blockbuster second-round encounter.
The nineteenth seed got here from two units down, also saving three match factors earlier than overcoming Alex Molcan of Slovakia 6-7 (September 11) 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 7-5 7-6 (11-9) in a marathon match.
Norrie credit Alcaraz for opening win
Cameron Norrie impressed throughout his first-round conflict and can now face qualifier Yu Hsiou Hsu subsequent
Norrie dismantled Alexander Shevchenko of Russia 6-3 6-2 6-2 to attain the second spherical in New York.
It was simply the kind of efficiency Norrie wanted after shedding his earlier three matches on the exhausting courts.
The sixteenth seed credited Carlos Alcaraz for his improved show after practising with the Spaniard on Monday.
“We had a really good practice and I think it really set the tone [on Monday] and I was able to put it into my match [Tuesday],” he stated.
“He’s always enjoying the practice and bringing a lot of flair and excitement to the practice court.
“It was not a simple match. Shevchenko has had an excellent yr to this point. I do know his sport fairly nicely, I’d practiced with him a number of occasions.
“I was able to play longer points and win some of the tough games. It was a nice match to play in the first round to get a lot of rhythm.”
Cameron Norrie is remaining grounded regardless of dispatching Alexander Shevchenko in straight units
Norrie will face qualifier Yu Hsiou Hsu, the world No 237, in spherical two after his shock win over Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Jack Draper joined Murray, Norrie and Katie Boulter in the second spherical with the younger Briton defeating Radu Albot 6-1 6-4 6-3 in simply over two hours.
The 21-year-old, who missed the grass-court season due to a shoulder damage. retired by way of damage on the latest Winston-Salem Open, elevating doubts about his US Open participation, however the left-hander got here by way of untroubled.
The US Open on Sky Sports: How and the place to watch
Watch the US Open reside and unique on Sky Sports from August 28 to September 10. All courts will likely be obtainable to look ahead to the primary time
The US Open is again on Sky Sports with the promise to give followers reside protection of the Grand Slam like by no means earlier than.
Sky welcomes tennis again to its channels, including to the prevailing sports activities portfolio and reaffirming the broadcaster as the house of reside sport in the UK & Ireland.
Sky Sports’ new blended actuality studio options a number of customized constructed LED screens, built-in gentle ‘sabres’, and an open cover roof, making the area alive with color and power to mirror the vibrancy of the final Grand Slam of the yr.
Relive Murray’s rollercoaster profession on the US Open, which noticed him declare his maiden Grand Slam title in 2012
From Novak Djokovic to Iga Swiatek – it’s time to meet the US Open champion contenders!
With built-in AR capabilities, a flexible LED ground, and a ‘fourth wall’, the viewer will likely be transported to the Arthur Ashe Stadium in a 360-degree immersive atmosphere. Our tennis consultants will take the viewer into the eyes of the gamers for knowledgeable Hawkeye evaluation and perception because the event progresses.
The expertise concerned permits us to add a whole new dimension and can deliver prospects nearer to the motion.
Highlights of matches will likely be obtainable throughout Sky Sports TV and our social media platforms.
Video highlights will also be obtainable of the Sky Sports web site and app, the place there’ll also be a each day reside textual content commentary on the Sky Sports web site and app, in addition to reside scores, studies, evaluation and options.
Stream the US Open on Sky Sports with NOW for simply £26 a month for 12 months. Cancel anytime.
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