After a promising straight sets win against 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo in the first round of the US Open, Andy Murray is about to face youngster Emilio Nava in the second.
Still only 20, Nava is a rising star of American tennis. Murray, who is 15 years his senior, is far more experienced, but it will be an interesting matchup between players at very different stages in their careers.
Although Murray has struggled with cramps for most of the hard-court season, he showed little sign of physical discomfort against Cerundolo. After winning the first set 7-5, he cruised through the second and third, winning both 6-3.
“It felt like five sets,” he said afterwards after securing his first straight sets win at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon five years ago. “It was very difficult conditions, very hot and humid. I’m just really glad I got through it.”
It’s another sweltering day at Flushing Meadows, so Murray will need to manage his hydration carefully to avoid a repeat of his cramping issues. He will be hoping to go deep into the tournament, not least because it is the 10th anniversary of his US Open victory – the first of his three Slams – in 2012.
“It seems like a long time ago when I won here,” he said after his win against Cerundolo. “A lot has happened in my career since then, but this was a huge moment for me.”
It may have been a decade since Murray beat Novak Djokovic in that five-set epic, but the US Open could still provide him with a platform for some memorable late-career performances. He’s not the only British player in action today, mind you, with Harriet Dart taking on Dalma Galfi later and Jack Draper taking on Felix Auger-Aliasime.
Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans are also still in contention, but Emma Radukanu crashed out early after losing 3-6, 3-6 to Alize Cornet. Murray could become the first British representative to reach the third round, having not gone as far at the US Open since 2016.
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