By Erik Gudris | Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Andy Murray endured a mixture of brilliant and baffling shotmaking from Nick Kyrgios to advance at the US Open.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Perhaps Andy Murray said it best before his opening round match against Australia's Nick Kyrgios in the opening round of the US Open on Tuesday night.
"He’s quite an unpredictable player so you need to expect that when you go on the court."
US Open: Nick Kyrgios - The Good, Bad, and Sleepy
Murray definitely seemed prepared for anything as he weathered Kyrgios' entertaining, yet also bewildering shotmaking during their first round meeting on Arthur Ashe Stadium. While the young Australian showed what a natural talent he is, the often controversial Kyrgios also left a lot of unanswered questions as to where his career might be headed.
The match, that featured several great rallies, but also plenty of lulls in energy, was all about Murray keeping focused on what he needed to do to win while Kyrgios had to decide if he could channel all of his shotmaking prowess into being a consistent threat to possibly pull off the upset.
Kyrgios took advantage early in the first set by securing a quick service break. But, appearing distracting and unhappy with late-arriving fans settling into their seats, Kyrgios soon handed the break back. Kyrgios continued the set by hitting a tweener, a botched overhead, and several perfect drop shots.
Yet Murray made his move late in the set. Despite missing out on two earlier set points, Murray converted on his third one by attacking a short Kyrgios second serve. That gave Murray the set 7-5.
Kyrgios then surprised many by appearing to take a nap during the changeover.
The Australian continued to delight and dismay those watching during the second set. During one point, Kyrgios' racquet flew out of his hand for no reason.
While Kyrgios would hold several break points against Murray, the No. 3 seed responded with strong serving to get himself out of trouble.
Kyrgios, midway through the set, then played a poor service game that allowed Murray to break for 4-2.
A few games later, Murray quickly held serve at love to take a two sets to love lead.
The third set found Kyrgios hitting full out on his forehand side with great results. Kyrgios, placing pressure on Murray's serve, finally converted on his fourth break point chance in the second game to take a 2-0 lead.
Yet, in what felt like less than a minute, Kyrgios threw away his advantage with a poor service game letting Murray back in at 2-1.
Though Murray looked poised to possible wrap things up in straight sets, another plot twist soon occurred late in the set. Murray found himself serving to stay in the set at 5-4. Kyrgios responded by ripping two forehand return winners. A Murray double fault then gave Kyrgios triple set point. Murray netted on the next point and just like that, Kyrgios was back in the match having won his first ever set off of Murray.
While the New York crowd starting cheering on Kyrgios in hopes of spurring him on, his momentum would be short lived. In his opening service game, Kyrgios found himself down break point at 0-40. Kyrgios then tossed in a poor drop shot giving Murray the early lead. While Kyrgios would again show flashes of brilliant shotmaking, his time on the biggest stage in tennis was quickly running out.
Murray took control later in the set when holding more break points in the fifth game after ripping a backhand return winner. Kyrgios promptly double faulted on the next point handing Murray the 4-1 lead.
From there the ending was in sight from Murray who quickly held for 5-1. Kyrgios was unable to fend off Murray who found himself with match points in the next game. A final botched forehand from Kyrgios sailed well over the baseline. With that, Murray celebrated the 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 win.
"Nick finished the third set really well and I managed to get the momentum back in the beginning of the fourth," Murray said later to ESPN. "I felt like I served pretty well for the most part, gotta lot of free points on my serve, and got a lot of returns back. Did a lot of defending and running tonight in very difficult conditions."
"It was a very tricky match. I fought hard and managed to get through."
Murray will now face France's Adrian Mannarino in the next round.