Andy Murray fought back from a set down to book his place in the third round of the US Open for the first time since 2016.
The 35-year-old Brit, who famously sealed the first of his three Grand Slam titles in New York 10 years ago, didn't have it all his own way as he eventually defeated American Emilio Nava 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, 6-0. The inexperienced Nava - aged just 20 and ranked 203 in the world - defied expectations at the start of the match as the pair engaged in one of the most gruelling first sets ever seen at the US Open.
Following the mammoth set that lasted an hour and 24 minutes, it was the young American who eventually took the crucial break to take the opener 7-5 in front of the crowd at Arthur Ashe stadium. His performance and shots led to plenty of praise from commentators and fans alike but it was Murray who seized the initiative from then on.
The 35-year-old's class shone through, as it so often does, and his newfound aggression proved crucial as he took the following three sets relatively comfortably to seal his spot in the next round.
The first set was a simply remarkable slog between the battling pair but it was Nava who took the first break just before an hour had been played to lead 5-3. However, Murray fought back instantly to make it 5-4, despite Nava’s confusion as he was convinced the Brit’s successful break point winner had landed out.
The gruelling encounter continued between the duo but Nava defied his ranking to smash a spellbinding winner as he broke Murray again to seal the first set 7-5. It was a remarkable opening set taking 84 minutes, with commentator Jim Courier aghast at how long it had taken to complete with both players working so hard.
With the second set underway, Nava’s level perhaps predictably dropped considering the high level he had been playing at. Murray took full advantage to secure a break to lead 3-2, despite clinging onto the rally for dear life.
The Brit almost had an opportunity to go two breaks of serve up but Nava managed to hold at 3-2, although there was a sense that the 2012 champion looked a little more like himself. That proved to be the case as Murray eventually sealed his second break of the set to take the second 6-3 after more than two hours on the clock.
There was a sense that momentum had now shifted to the vastly more experienced Brit at a set apiece, and that proved to be the case as Murray continued to keep his aggression up. That tactic paid off again as he took two further breaks to run away with the third set at 6-1.
In the end, despite Nava’s spirited performance, the three-time Grand Slam champion was simply too good as he continued to take control of the match. He began the fourth with an instant break on his way to a dominant 6-0 victory that booked his place in the next round at Flushing Meadows.
Despite the way in which the match ultimately ended the young Nava earned plenty of plaudits out under the spotlight that is Arthur Ashe stadium. You get the sense he won’t be out of the world’s top 200 for too much longer.
