For his comeback in Grand Slam since the Australian Open 2019, Andy Murray did not shine on Tuesday.
But he managed to get out of a very poorly embarked situation against the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka who will be able to feed many regrets after his defeat in five sets (4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6- 4).
Indeed, the Nippon had a break in advance in the third set, then yet another in the fifth.
Capable of brilliant shots, he was however overtaken by the famous fear of winning which made him foil on many important points.
It didn't take much for Murray, even very irregular, to take the opportunity to win thanks in particular to two very solid tie-breaks (7 points to 5, then 7 points to 4).
Falling to 134th place in the world ranking, the Briton benefited from an invitation from the organizers of the US Open for his return to Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2018. Before the start of the tournament, the Briton had confided that he had returned to his better level and finally feeling free from repeated injuries.
He even felt he had not felt so good physically before a Grand Slam tournament since Roland Garros 2017, where he lost in the semi-final against Stan Wawrinka.
"It was a long time ago," conceded the 33-year-old.
“I know I've played a few Grand Slams since but it wasn't really me on the pitch.
It was a long journey to get back to this level.
I hope I can take part in this Grand Slam tournament without worrying about what happens next and how my hip will feel. ”
A priori, the hip held up but its level of play remains very fluctuating.
Khachanov also borders on the worst
Seeded number 11, Karen Khachanov had all the trouble in the world to dominate the Italian Jannik Sinner, who completely cracked physically after winning the first two rounds (3-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6- 0, 7-6).
The Russian finally won in the deciding game of the last set (7 points to 4).
In the second round, he will face his compatriot Kuznetsov.
Austria's Dominic Thiem, 3rd in the world, also qualified for the second round by beating the Spaniard Jaume Munar, 105th in the world, who retired after being led 7-6 (8/6), 6-3.
Munar, who fell badly on one knee in the second set, requested the doctor's intervention.
Before giving up playing the third round.
Thiem, finalist of the last Australian Open, had just won with a little more authority the second set, after a first where he had to work in the tie-break.
The Austrian is reassured, however, after his inglorious elimination in the first round of the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati last week, which heralded a resumption of the difficult season after six months without playing.
In the next round, he will face Indian Sumit Nagal, 124th in the world.
French ray, Jérémy Chardy opened the day in a sad way by clearly undergoing the law of Andrey Rublev (4-6, 4-6, 3-6).
Results of the 1st round:
Thiem (Aut, 2)
- Munar (Esp) 7-6, 6-3 ab.
Kuznetsov (Rus)
- Querrey (EU) 6-4, 7-6, 6-2
Nagal (Ind)
- Klahn (EU) 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
Ruusuvuori (End)
- Bedene (Slv) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1
Ruud (Nor, 30)
- McDonald (EU) 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6 -2
Khachanov (Rus, 11)
- Sinner (Ita) 3-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-0, 7-6
Rublev (Rus, 10)
- Chardy (Fra) 6-4, 6-4 , 6-3
Murray (GB)
- Nishioka (Jap) 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4
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Table US Open Men
