Andy Murray has survived an early scare to beat wildcard Emilio Nava 5-7 6-3 6-1 6-0 at the US Open and move into the third round of a grand slam for only the second time in five years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nava, the world No.203 who had knocked out Australian John Millman in the first round, showed he belonged further up the ladder with his confident shot-making on Wednesday, winning the big points to take a gruelling first set in 84 minutes.
Ten years since he won his maiden grand slam at Flushing Meadows, Murray struggled with his first serve but, always happy to graft in slams, broke the inexperienced Nava twice in the second set to level the match after the American made several unforced errors.
That fuelled the former world No.1 as he suddenly found his range on serve, tearing through the third and fourth sets as Nava failed to sustain his levels from the opener and began to fade, giving the resolute Scot the advantage.
"Today I think, physically, I was stronger than him at the end of the match, which is a really positive thing, obviously," Murray said.
"My movement around the court is good right now. I feel like it's not that easy for guys to hit winners past me and I'm defending in the corners much better than I was 12 months ago here."
Murray will next meet 13th seed Matteo Berrettini, last year's Wimbledon finalist in the next round after the Italian beat Hugo Grenier of France 2-6 6-1 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (9-7).
"Matteo has had a bit of an unlucky year to be honest. But, when he has been on the court, he has done really, really well," Murray said ahead of their fourth meeting.
"We played in the Stuttgart final. It was a tough three-set match. So, I am expecting it to be really difficult. But, if I play well and my returns are on point, then I have a good chance."
Elsewhere, fifth seed Casper Ruud of Norway was a 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-4 6-4 winner over the Netherlands' Tim van Rijthoven while fellow Dutchman, and 21st seed, Botic van De Zandschulp was upset 6-4 1-6 6-2 6-4 by Corentin Moutet of France.
12th-seeded Spaniard Pablo Carrena Busta enjoyed a four-set win over Kazakh Alexander Bublik while 29th seed Tommy Paul won the All-American tie against Sebastian Korda in five. Paul will face Ruud in round three.
John Isner was forced to withdraw with a wrist injury to send the 28th seed Holger Rune through with a walkover, and the Dane will face either Brit Cam Norrie, the seventh seed, or Joao Sousa of Portugal.
With agencies.
Australian Associated Press
