Impressive Andy Murray eases through US Open first-round clash against Francisco Cerundolo

Andy Murray stormed into the second round of the US Open with a superb straight-sets victory over 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo on the opening day of action at Flushing Meadows. The former world No.1, who won the first Grand Slam of his career in New York 10 years ago, broke serve seven times and capitalised on 46 unforced errors in a 7-5 6-3 6-3 victory.

Ad Murray edged a fiercely-fought 65-minute long opening set and took his momentum into the second, racing into a 5-0 lead before needing a second service game to successfully serve out. US Open'Fabulous to see' — Cerundolo praised for amazing sportsmanship against MurrayAN HOUR AGO He then started fast in the third to go 5-1 up before suffering a wobble as his serve was broken, but the Scot broke back to take the match in style and record his first straight sets win at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2017.

«It felt like five sets to me,» he smiled after the game. «Very tricky conditions today, humid and hot, but I was really happy with the way I got through that one.

»It wasn't easy, he's had a brilliant year and I knew I would need to play well, but I did in the important moments." Murray, who hasn't made it past the second round in New York since making the quarter-finals in 2016, will face John Millman or Emilio Nava in Round Two. The 35-year-old’s preparation for the final Grand Slam event of the season was overshadowed by issues with cramping in matches during the hard-court swing in North America, but he managed to grind down an opponent 11 years his younger in Louis Armstrong Stadium despite showing signs of discomfort in the third set.

«I thought I did well considering that, mentally,» Murray told Amazon Prime. «It's not easy going into a five-set match in those