Throughout much of this most difficult period of Andy Murray’s career, as he has faced tests that would not have been met with younger legs and a more functional hip, he has continually explained what drives him every day . He is adamant that he has something left in his sport, although he does not know exactly how far he can go. He believes the evidence is there, on display in his many strong performances against top players over the past year.
A decade after his first Grand Slam win on those grounds, he put together another strong run. Murray played a clean and disciplined match, neutralizing 24th seed Francisco Cerúndolo and his nuclear forehand in stifling New York humidity to reach the second round of the US Open with a 7-set victory -5, 6-3, 6-3. . The win marks Murray’s first Grand Slam win since Wimbledon 2017, when he was ranked No. 1.
“It felt like five sevens,” he said afterward, laughing. “Very, very complicated conditions today. Very humid and hot. Really happy with the way I overcame that. It’s not easy, he’s had a very good season.”
Although Murray entered the match with a good chance, it was no easy task. Cerúndolo, a 24-year-old Argentine, has climbed more than 100 places in the rankings this year and reached his recent career high of 24 after starting the season 127th. His successes include a semifinal run at the Miami Open Masters 1000 event in March and have been fueled by his big forehand and solid athleticism.
The summer had started promisingly for Murray as he produced some of his best tennis in five years in Stuttgart, but suffered an abdominal injury in the final against Matteo Berrettini and lost to a spectacular serving display from John Isner in the second round. of Wimbledon. He entered the US hardcourt swing hoping to qualify for the US Open, only to struggle with cramps.
Despite the harsh conditions, there was no sign of any physical problems this time. “I did well,” Murray said. “Mentally it’s not easy going into a five-set match in these conditions after how the last few weeks have been for me, and I’ve done well. I did well physically and mentally to put it in the back of my mind and find a way to overcome it. So I was very happy with that.”
Murray immediately dragged Cerúndolo into long exchanges, keeping him deep and preventing him from using his big forehand. He first served for the set at 5-3, but his three successive errors cost him the match. As Cerúndolo served to hold for the set at 4-5, Murray executed a drop volley that bounced twice before his opponent reached it, but the umpire didn’t see it and awarded the period in Argentina.
As Murray argued with the referee, the rebound was shown twice on the big screen. The entire stadium stopped to watch the footage in silence and the confirmation of the second bounce led to widespread boos from the crowd. Cerúndolo then decided to surrender the point. During their handshake, Murray praised his opponent for his sportsmanship.
Andy Murray pulls off a comeback on his way to a stunning win. Photograph: Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images
“What he did was brilliant, and I don’t think a lot of players on the tour have done that,” Murray said. “Fair play to him. And I told him that in net. He didn’t have to do that either.”
Murray continued to apply pressure with consistent, deep and early returns, eventually breaking serve for the set courtesy of a double fault on Cerúndolo’s set point. With the first set secured, he turned the match around to record a solid victory. In the end, his only problem was the failure to serve out the first and second sets at the first opportunity.
After a bitter summer, Murray has taken a hopeful step forward. There is certainly evidence that the 35-year-old is still capable of beating great players; he’s already done that, scoring four top-20 wins last year.
He began this season with a similar victory, knocking out 21st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round of the Australian Open, but Murray then played an atrocious second-round match, losing in straight sets to Taro Daniel, who was ranked 120th at the time. .
While Murray has been able to deliver strong individual performances at times, he has rarely been able to build on them with a block of consistent wins. The big question is whether his form and body can hold up over a series of matches and tournaments, allowing him to gain momentum and go deeper into the draws. Having taken Cerúndolo’s path as the No. 24 seed, Murray now has a chance.
“I essentially take his place in the draw now,” he said. “That’s what you have to do if you’re not unseeded is go through some seeds. I’ve drawn a lot of them in the slams I’ve played in the last few years. He won some of them; obviously I’ve lost some too. No It was an easy first game and I did well to get through it.”
Murray faces Emilio Nava, a 20-year-old American wild card, for a place in the third round. Nava, ranked 203, picked up his first Grand Slam main draw victory by defeating John Millman 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-1.