SEPTEMBER 3, 2013
Andy Murray
Defending champion Andy Murray saw off Germany’s Florian Mayer in straight sets on a steamy New York afternoon to reach the last 16 of the US Open.
The third seed, 26, looked out of sorts in the opening stages but found his form to win 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 6-2.
He moves into the fourth round for the sixth time and will face Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin on Tuesday.
“It was very, very humid. I was struggling with my breathing for most of the match,” said Murray.
“It was a workmanlike performance from Andy and the last two sets were very impressive. He stepped up the gears, hit the ball well, moved well and had excellent concentration.”
“With the way that he plays, it was a tough match, especially the beginning.
“But I started the second set well, started hitting the ball a little bit cleaner, was more aggressive after that and finished it well.”
If the match time of one hour and 59 minutes was not unusually punishing, the conditions on Arthur Ashe Stadium certainly were, and the Briton was soon drenched in sweat.
The uncomfortable tone was set in the opening game as three break points went begging for Murray amid a flurry of challenges and overrules.
With his own first-serve percentage hovering around the 30% mark and an average speed of little over 110mph, the Scot was unable to stamp his authority on the contest.
There were several unhappy glances at coach Ivan Lendl in the stands but the unorthodox Mayer, with an exaggerated forehand preparation and leaping backhand style, could not take advantage of his misfiring opponent.
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