The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsAndy Murray has moved through to the second round of the US Open, as the Brit opened his bid for a second title at Flushing Meadows with a 6-3 6-2 6-2 dismissal of Lukas Rosol. The Czech was widely regarded as a threat with his powerful and aggressive game, but overall he was too inconsistent to trouble the world number two as Murray produced a solid display to dominate the contest and as a result seal a straight-forward victory.
In the opening set, both players held serve comfortably early on but at 3-2, Murray did enough to gain the crucial break which he took when Rosol netted a backhand. The Brit quickly consolidated the break to move 5-2 ahead, relying on his accurate serving and overall solid play to keep his Czech opponent at bay. Rosol was successful at times with his hard hitting tennis but he was too inconsistent, and even though Murray failed to convert set points at 5-2, he quickly wrapped up the set on his own serve in the following game to take the lead in the match.
As the second set unfolded, Rosol continued to struggle to manage his unforced error count and Murray’s consistent level of tennis was enough for the Brit to seize the early break with a forehand winner. The world number two held his serve and then ruthlessly struck again to claim the double break, using his variety as well as probing groundstrokes to break his opponent down and eventually build an unassailable 4-0 margin. Rosol did manage to register two games but Murray continued to cruise through his own service games and the Brit swiftly closed out the set to open up a two set cushion.
In the third set, the Czech’s powerful shot-making allowed him to hold serve and keep the scoreline tight initially, but at 2-2 Murray was able to absorb Rosol’s crushing groundstrokes with his incredible defensive skills, and this was enough for the Brit to establish another break. The world number two consolidated it for a 4-2 lead and by this point the Czech had simply no answer to his opponent’s solid performance, as the combination of Murray’s impeccable length and exquisite shots forced Rosol to concede his serve again. Now serving for the match, the Brit confidently clinched the win with an unreturnable serve to book his place in a second round clash against Marcel Granollers.
As for the other Brits, Dan Evans and Johanna Konta both progressed, but Heather Watson suffered a straight sets loss to qualifier Richel Hogenkamp. Aljaz Bedene also exited the tournament in a 6-4 6-4 6-4 defeat to Nick Kyrgios, whilst Naomi Broady edged out fellow Brit Laura Robson in three sets. However, the main story came when Kyle Edmund produced a powerful display to stun higher ranked and former semi-finalist Richard Gasquet 6-2 6-2 6-3.
Meanwhile, defending champion Novak Djokovic at times struggled but did enough to beat Jerzy Janowicz 6-3 5-7 6-2 6-1, whilst Rafael Nadal, Kei Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka all secured straight set wins. Milos Raonic, Marin Cilic and Juan Martin Del Potro also were first round winners, but David Goffin suffered a shock four set defeat to Jared Donaldson.
On the women’s side, Serena Williams swept aside Ekaterina Makarova 6-3 6-3, as Angelique Kerber, Agnieszka Radwanska and Simona Halep all comfortably moved through to the second round. However, Garbine Muguruza, Venus Williams and Madison Keys needed three sets to win their respective opening matches, but Ana Ivanovic made an early exit as the Serbian lost 7-6 6-1 to Denisa Allertova.
