Murray satisfied after surviving tough opener
HE may have suffered some bumps and bruises along the way but Andy Murray’s US Open hopes remain very much in tact after a comfortable first round victory in the early hours of yesterday.
The world No2 was given a tough opening encounter against Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis under the lights at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, before coming away with a 7-5, 6-3, 7-5 victory in two hours 17 minutes.
Murray also suffered “a few bruises” on the way following a heavy fall in the final set, but said he was satisfied with his night’s work against an opponent who had improved significantly since the pair last met at Wimbledon earlier this summer.
“I thought it was good,” the Scot said. “I thought it was a high standard of match. My concentration could have been a bit better but for a first match I thought it was very good because he played very well, a lot better than at Wimbledon.”
Murray now takes on his former junior training partner in round two, world No87 Paul Capdeville, of Chile.
Speaking of his opponent, Murray said: “I’m sure a lot of people won’t know him that well, but I know him relatively well and there won’t be any surprises.”