In a matchup that has caused plenty of drama in the past, Andy Murray stomped out any signs of a repeat in his clinical first round win over Lukas Rosol, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Murray put on an incredible performance to kick start his 2016 US Open campaign soaking up the power of the big-hitting Czech with some impressive defensive play. Rosol kept trying to come up with something big enough to damage the Murray wall of defense, and in doing so notched a woeful 45 unforced errors. The Scot stayed focused throughout, served extremely well and came through a potentially tricky match with ease. 

Contrasts of consistency 

The first set began with a twenty-two shot rally full of huge groundstrokes that finished at the net in favor of Rosol, but throughout the set the big hitting proved to be more of a hindrance than a help to the Czech. Rosol's strategy of going for broke and trying to hit through Murray was clear from the outset, with some scorching winners flying through the court but most ending up in the net or way beyond the baseline. After a mini battle in the fifth game with some world class defensive play from Murray and unruly errors from Rosol, the Scot gets the break on the third break point of the game. The Czech manages to claw his way back from 0-40  when serving to stay in the set and wins five straight points to keep it down to the one break, but Murray then goes on to serve out the first set with no trouble. 

Murray trying to reach a ball (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Murray trying to reach a ball (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Defensive Masterclass 

Set two contained much more of the same. Murray was getting a better read on the Rosol serve and wasn't letting the Czech get any kind of rhythm. Continued wall-like defense from the Scot meant that Rosol's biggest weapon in his massive groundstrokes continued to work against him, Murray consistently making him play the extra shot and drawing the errors meant he raced to a 4-0 lead. After five straight games going against him, Rosol managed to grind out his first hold of the second set in the fifth game. Murray's impressive serving left Rosol with no hope of coming back into this set and the world number two sealed it 6-2. 

Sealed In Style 

Rosol showed some signs of life at the beginning of the third set with a quick hold to love in the opening game although he still wasn't being allowed kind of opportunity on the Murray serve. In an attempt to get a break through on the return, the world number eighty-one threw everything he had at Murray in twenty-nine shot rally full of blistering groundstrokes, but the Scot soaked up the pressure and ended the point with a perfectly placed drop shot. The final blow came in the next game where Murray managed to get the crucial break and continued his impeccable serving as he served out the opening match in his 2016 US Open campaign, finishing with an ace and not facing a single break point in the match. 

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