• US Open, Day Three

Murray breezes past Devvarman

Andy Murray's movement was impressive in his win over Somdev Devvarman © Getty Images

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• Gallery: US Open: Day Three

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What They Said
US Open: Day Three gallery

Andy Murray was given a solid workout before easing into round two of the US Open with a 7-6(5) 6-2 6-3 win over Somdev Devvarman.

World No. 4 Murray was handed a later start in the tournament compared to Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and he voiced his displeasure at the fact. He was slow out of the blocks, seemingly affected by not having played competitively since winning in Cincinnati 10 days ago. But after being pushed hard in the first set, the Brit delved into his repertoire of shots to dispose of his Indian opponent in a shade under two-and-a-half hours.

Devvarman has learnt his craft in the US college system and he came out intent on showcasing his skills in New York. He won three unanswered points in the first game on Murray's serve and after the Scot had seemingly staved off the threat with two sumptuous drop shots, Devvarman crafted a fourth break point and converted when Murray netted a backhand.

Murray steeled himself after the early setback, wining his next two service games to love, and the pressure told on Devvarman who served a double fault to hand Murray the break back at 3-3.

World No. 64 Devvarman regrouped and his first ace of the match forced a tiebreak. A couple of backhand errors from Murray handed Devvarman the mini-break, but the Indian promptly served a double fault. A poor backhand handed Murray the initiative and the Brit powered through to take the opening set.

Devvarman appeared to be without a Plan B as he was broken at the start of the second, only for Murray to throw in one of his all-too-often lapses as a shocking service game put his opponent back on track.

But as in the first set, Murray flexed his muscles after making the error and he broke to love on the way to clinching the second set.

What resistance remained within Devvarman was ripped out of him by an immediate break at the start of the third set and Murray turned on the style. He hit the ball crisply off the ground on both wings, served with venom and moved like a man who has been boosted physically by a change in his diet.

Devvarman staved off the third-set bagel by holding in the fifth game, but it was only a temporary stay of execution as Murray blasted his way into round two. He should really have been in the locker room five minutes earlier but surrendered one of his breaks back when overhitting in a bid to finish the match in style.

Up next for Murray is a second-round meeting with Robin Haase after the in-form Dutchman claimed a 6-0 6-4 6-4 win over Rui Machado.

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