US Open 2022 LIVE: Andy Murray beats Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets to reach second round
The Brit plays his first-round match 10 years on from winning his maiden grand slam title at Flushing Meadows
Andy Murray made a positive start to his US Open campaign with a straight-sets victory over 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo in New York.
The 35-year-old went into the tournament having only won one match on the North American hard courts this season and with concerns over persistent cramping but this proved to be a relatively straightforward outing in humid conditions.
Argentinian Cerundolo has won the majority of his ranking points on clay and Murray had to grind his way through plenty of long rallies on his way to a 7-5 6-3 6-3 victory, with the only real negative a failure to serve out all three sets.
Andy Murray 7-5, 1-0 Francisco Cerundolo
A quick hold for Murray to get the first set up and running, helped by a couple of unforced errors by Cerundolo.
Andy Murray 7-5 Francisco Cerundolo
Both players went off court after that hour-long opening set. It’s incredibly humid at Flushing Meadows, so a shirt change is definitely in order for the players.
A remarkable first set and it feels vitally important that Murray won it. You’d think the younger Cerundolo would have the advantage if the match goes deep
*Andy Murray 7-5 Francisco Cerundolo - MURRAY WINS THE FIRST SET
Cerundolo goes long for 0-15 and then does likewise after a decent return on a slow-ish second serve from Murray. 0-30 and the Brit has half a chance here.
Brilliant defensive net play from Cerundolo! Digs out a low volley off a backhand pass by Murray before getting a ball fired straight at him back in play and then finishing the point with a tricky overhead smash. The next point is simpler for the server and suddenly it’s 30-30.
Murray being worked round the court but a third forehand error of the game from Cerundolo as he slides one just wide brings up SET POINT MURRAY! A look at a second serve... And it’s a DOUBLE FAULT! Oh wow! Horrible way to lose it for Cerundolo but
ANDY MURRAY WINS THE FIRST SET 7-5
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 6-5 Francisco Cerundolo*
A champion’s response by Andy Murray! After the disappointment of squandering a 5-2 lead including failing to serve out the opening set and then the madness of that 10th game, he thunders through a service hold to love.
Big serving and powerful groundstrokes take him to 6-5. Can he break Cerundolo here to pinch the set and avoid a tiebreak?
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 5-5 Francisco Cerundolo
Can Murray respond to that disappointment? A lovely double-hand backhand return helps him win the opening point before a remarkable point follows! Murray in control after a net cord but Cerundolo battles well and wins the point with an overhead smash.
Murray is unhappy though, he claims there was a double bounce when Cerundolo stretched to reach a gorgeous drop volley. Replays on the big screen suggest Murray may be right but the umpire can’t overturn it. However, CERUNDOLO CONCEDES THE POINT IN A GREAT SHOW OF SPORTMANSHIP. Murray gives him a thumbs up in appreciation - fair play to the Argentine.
He’s immediately rewarded karma-wise as two great points level the game at 30-30 and a slightly shanked backhand makes it 40-30 as Murray can’t return. But then a backhand cross-court strike by Murray juuuust clips the outside of the line. Cerundolo looks disbelieving but hawkeye confirms and it’s deuce.
What a game this is! Cerundolo brings up advantage before another epic point! Lengthy rally, momentum swings back and forth, Murray battles hard but the ball flies long.
After all of that, Cerundolo wins the game to make it 5-5 from 5-2 down!
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 5-4 Francisco Cerundolo* - CERUNDOLO BREAKS BACK
Perfect start from Murray as he bangs an ace down the ‘t’ but immediately counters that with a double fault. Then an uncharacteristic miss as he puts a pretty simple overhead forehand wide. Head in hands for the Brit as he slips to 15-30.
He then decelerates through a forehand which dies into the net and brings up TWO BREAK POINTS for Cerundolo. A long rally, solid exchanges from the baseline but Murray is moved a bit wide and puts a backhand wide.
CERUNDOLO BREAKS BACK!
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 5-3 Francisco Cerundolo
Lots of head-shaking from Cerundolo and he quickly slips to 15-30. A chance for Murray to finish this set here without serving it out?
Close! A forehand down the line by the Brit goes just wide to relinquish the advantage and a powerful backhand set up by a well-constructed point gives the Argentine game point. That’s class though! Cross-court forehand winner gives Cerundolo no chance. Deuce.
Fair play though - a big serve down the ‘t’ before a clean ace complete the hold. Murray will have to serve this out.
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 5-2 Francisco Cerundolo*
What a start to a vital game for Murray as he digs out a backhand half-volley from on his toes following a good passing attempt by Cerundolo. Absolutely incredible touch to get that in the court.
A frustrated Cerundolo nets a backhand before a big first serve brings up game point for the Brit which he duly takes when his opponent lashes long. A clean hold to 15 and he’s on the brink of taking the opening set.
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 4-2 Francisco Cerundolo
More often than not, Murray is dictating the rallies from the baseline and moving Cerundolo around the court with varying angles and depth of stroke.
The Argentine battling hard though and there’s a roar of frustration from the Brit as he drop to 40-15 before a backhand down the line is narrowly wide, allowing the seed to hold serve. Big game coming up for Murray.
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 4-1 Francisco Cerundolo*
Murray is starting to stamp his authority on this match. Cerundolo has started to mutter to himself darkly between points and smacks a return miles out, although a well-constructed point and put-away volley gives him a glimmer at 40-30.
A big Murray serve is unreturned though and the Brit in control of the set at 4-1 as we change ends again.
*denotes next to serve
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