US Open – Britain’s Andy Murray claimed a comfortable victory 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 against brilliant Nick Kyrgios in the first round encounter at Flushing Meadows, New York.
Murray has not lost in the first round of a Grand Slam since 2008 and eyeing to win a third major title at the end of the next week. The 28-year-old Scot faces Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in round two on Thursday.
The world number three coped superbly and stood firm in the face of the expected fireworks across the net. Kyrgios was frustrated in the first set and lost his composure when some fans entered in the middle of the game. Former US Open champion went on to win the second set quite comfortably before Kyrgios put up the fight in the third set.
After Kyrgios won the third set, the British number one quickly regained control of the match, dominating the fourth set in just 28 minutes. The furious contest ran for around two hours and 45 minutes. The winner of the match maintained unbeaten record against the 20-year-old Aussie, who quickly exits the US Open after making at least the third round of this year’s other Grand Slams.
“He’s unpredictable. He can play all of the shots, he serves extremely well, he’s a fantastic guy, covers the court very well,” said Murray. “It’s tough to get the ball out of his strike zone. It was a tricky game and I just fought hard, mixed it up and managed to get through”
Roger Federer earned an easy one-sided victory 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 against Argentine’s Leonardo Mayer. The Swiss, who last won the US Open in 2008, is playing for his sixth US Open title. Former world number one is on top of his game as he defeated Novak Djokovic in the finals of the Cincinnati Masters.
The 34-year-old is confident to win the last Grand Slam of the year after having lost in the semi-finals last year. IMAGE/Clive Brunskill/Getty Images