‘Felt like five sets to me!’ – Andy Murray breaks five-year drought with US Open win

Andy Murray has claimed his first straight sets Slam victory since Wimbledon 2017 by defeating Francisco Cerundolo to reach the second round of the US Open. 

The 2012 champion downed the Argentinian 24th seed 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the next round, where he faces American wildcard Emilio Nava next.

The match did take two hours and 42 minutes to complete, so it was by no means a walk in the park, as Murray noted.

“That felt like five sets to me!” he joked in his post-match interview. “Very tricky conditions today, very humid and hot. But yes, I’m really happy with the way I got through that one.

“It wasn’t easy, [Cerundolo has] had a brilliant year. I knew I was going to have to play well, and I did in the important moments.”

Just under 10 years ago now, Murray experienced a defining career moment in New York by securing his first Major title.

“A lot has happened since then,” Murray continued. “But yeah, amazing memories, it was a huge moment for me, getting my first Grand Slam here in a brutal final against Novak [Djokovic]. It feels like a really long time ago.”

The win also means that Murray, currently ranked 51st in the world, provisionally moves up to 45th in the live rankings, a position that would be his best since May 2018, while a win over Nava would take the Brit to the cusp of the world’s top 40 at 42nd.

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