Tennis-Murray downs error-prone Cerundolo to reach U.S. Open second round
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Andy Murray powered into the second round of the U.S. Open with a comfortable 7-5 6-3 6-3 win over Argentine Francisco Cerundolo on Monday, as the former world number one rolled back the years at the scene of his first Grand Slam triumph a decade ago.
The 35-year-old Scot, who has battled various injuries in recent years, raced to a 5-2 lead early in the match but dropped his level slightly before edging a tight first set and breaking quickly in the next to put 24th seed Cerundolo under pressure on a sweltering hot Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
“It is obviously nice any time, especially in those conditions and early on in a slam to get through in straight sets,” said Murray. “He’s a top player, it was a good win for me.
“Mentally it’s not easy going into a five-set match in those conditions after the way the last few weeks have been for me, and I did well.
“I did well physically and mentally to put that to the back of my mind and find a way to get through.”
Murray staved off a comeback attempt by Cerundolo to take the second set for a commanding lead and showed little signs of stepping off the gas pedal, as his opponent continued to make life difficult for himself with unforced errors.
A double break in the third set allowed twice Wimbledon champion Murray to surge ahead 4-1 and he sealed the win when Cerundolo sent a return long.
Murray next faces American wildcard Emilio Nava.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Steve Keating in New York. Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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