Great Britain’s Andy Murray only made 43 pdf dng of his first serves in but managed to come through fairly comfortably against Marcel Granollers in straight sets 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 to reach the third round of the US Open.
Murray had enjoyed great success against his Spanish opponent in the past, leading their head to head 6-2, winning the last encounter back in March in the second round at Indian Wells 6-4, 7-6(3).
Competitive and entertaining opening set
The British number one took the confidence of previous wins against Granollers and a straight sets win over Lukas Rosol in the last round into today’s match as he got play underway under the roof in Arthur Ashe Stadium and after being tested at 30-30 on serve the second seed held and broke the Spaniard's serve immediately.
Murray fell down 0-30 on serve in the following game, but recovered winning four points in a row to take a 3-0 lead after just 13 minutes. The set moved along with both players holding serve, with Murray moving close to sealing the set on Granollers serve at 30-30, but the Spaniard hung on.
The ninth game was a marathon, lasting over 10 minutes as the world number two attempted to serve for the set. The world number 45 pushed the 2012 champion hard in the game, earning three break back chances, but being defied on each occasion. Murray then brought up a first set point but missed a routine backhand into the net. The surprise miss appeared to play on the Brit's mind as the Spaniard managed to break back at the fourth time of asking.
The world number two put the disappointment of losing the last game quickly behind him as he reengaged to break Granollers serve to seal the first set 6-4.
The Brit races through the second set
Murray made lighter work of the second set, breaking in the fourth game and securing a double break in the sixth game, hitting a delightful drop shot winner sliding away from the court to move to 30-40, sealing the game after a wild forehand went way over the baseline to all but end the Spaniard’s hopes in the second set. The world number two made no mistake serving out the set unlike he did in the first, holding to love as he fired down an ace on set point to capture it 6-1.
Tight third set edged by Murray
The third set was far tighter than first two in the early exchanges, with both players holding their nerve on serve, with Granollers keeping himself in front leading 4-3. Murray got himself into a tussle on serve in the eighth game down 15-30, but outlasted the world number 45 in the extended rallies on his way to holding serve, including one rally which lasted 19 shots.
That test proved to be Murray’s last, as the Brit, as he does so often struck at the perfect time, securing the break of serve on his second opportunity before wrapping up the match to 15 on serve in two hours and 22 minutes 6-4, 6-1, 6-4. The 2012 champion progresses to face Gilles Simon or Paolo Lorenzi in the third round on Saturday.