The 35-year-old entered the tournament having won just one match on North American hard courts this season and with lingering cramp concerns, but it proved to be a relatively straightforward outing in humid conditions. Argentina’s Cerundolo has won the most ranking points on clay and Murray had to weather several big rallies on his way to a 7-5 6-3 6-3 win, with the only real negative being a break on serve. all three sets. It was the first time Murray had won a straight sets match at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon five years ago, and he said: “It felt like five sets. It’s very difficult conditions, very humid and hot. I was very happy with the way I got through it, it wasn’t easy.”
Cerundolo vs Murray: Match Stats
Cerundolo Murray Match Statistics 2 Aces 6 4 Double Faults 5 67% 1st Serve Win Rate 75% 25% 2nd Serve Win Rate 43% 28 Total Winners 25 50 Unforced Errors 32 82/185 Total Points Won 103/185
Ten years after his maiden Grand Slam title, and with Ivan Lendl back in his box, Murray remains optimistic that he can have more memorable Grand Slam days. On-field training is allowed this year for the first time and Murray said of Lendl with a smile: “He’s a man of few words. He didn’t say much but it’s very important that he’s there supporting me. He’s still there, supporting me at this stage of my career me, while a lot of people wouldn’t.” He hadn’t been past the second round at Flushing Meadows since 2016, but this was a gracious draw. Cerundolo is still looking for his first main draw win at a major and is inexperienced on hard cards. Image: Murray recorded his first straight sets Grand Slam win in five years Murray got off to a shaky start, dropping his opening serve at the Louis Armstrong Stadium, the scene of tough battles for the Scot before it was rebuilt. He immediately set about trying to ensure that wouldn’t be the case again, winning four games in a row and appearing poised to take the first set only to play an awful service game at 5-3. He became enraged in the next game when Cerundolo was awarded a point despite the ball appearing to bounce twice as he lunged for a drop volley. The referee was powerless to overturn his decision but, after two slow-motion replays on the big screen in favor of Murray, Cerundolo sportingly awarded the point to his opponent – a gesture the Scot thanked him for after the match. Cerundolo, who had lost all four of his previous matches to British players, still held serve but then gifted the set to his opponent two games later with a double fault. Murray was 5-0 up in the second before losing three games in a row, but the Scot was virtually in full control now and, barring another failure to serve out a set, finished strongly. Image: The former world No 1 believes he can be a ‘pretty dangerous’ opponent in the draw as he looks for a deep run at a Grand Slam Speaking on Prime Video, Murray said: “Top win. He’s had a great year and I knew it was going to be tough but I thought I did really well in the big moments. It was tough towards the end and I think both of us were struggling a bit physically. “I thought I did well because mentally it’s not easy going into a five-set match in those conditions against a guy who makes you move a lot. With what happened recently, I did well mentally to get through it. I pat myself on the back with these things sometimes because it’s rare that anyone else does.” He added: “I hope (to be) quite dangerous. If I play like that and maybe serve a bit better, which I think I will as the tournament goes on. The conditions here are when you land the first serve, it’s great, you can get a lot of free points. The ball travels fast, it flies a little bit, so you have to understand that, but once it clicks I’ll play better.” The Scot will next face American world No 203 Emilio Nava after upsetting 20-year-old veteran Australian John Millman 7-6 (9-7) 4-6 6-7 (7-4) 1-6 6-1.
Edmund returns to the Grand Slam, but bows out to Ruud
Image: Britain’s Kyle Edmund has undergone three knee operations but is back in Grand Slam action in New York
Kyle Edmund was beaten by Casper Ruud on his return to Grand Slam tennis but gave a decent account of himself against the fifth seed. Edmund hadn’t played a match at any of tennis’ biggest events since the 2020 US Open, after which he underwent three knee operations before finally returning earlier this summer. He was given a very tough draw against French Open finalist Ruud, who is a title contender, and fell behind in a 6-3 7-5 6-2 defeat.
Medvedev kicks off his title defense with a convincing opening win
Image: Daniil Medvedev defended his US Open title, reeling off American Stefan Kozlov in miserable conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium
Defending champion Daniil Medvedev made his Arthur Ashe Stadium debut and made short work of American Stefan Kozlov. Medvedev, one of five men who could end the tournament at world No 1, dropped just six games in a 6-2 6-4 6-0 victory. “I’m very happy for the win first of all – not easy conditions,” said Medvedev, who set up a meeting with France’s Arthur Ridderknecht in the second round. “Serving was very important today.” Yibing Wu became the first man from China to win a Grand Slam singles match in the open era when he beat Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3 6-4 6-0. The 22-year-old won the 2017 US Open boys’ singles and doubles titles. Don’t forget to follow us at skysports.com/tennis, our Twitter account @skysportstennis & Sky Sports – on the go! Available to download now on – iPhone & iPad and Android
