Live Commentary: Robin Haase vs. Andy Murray - as it happened

Former US Open champion Andy Murray began his campaign for a first Grand Slam title in 2014 against Dutchman Robin Haase this afternoon.

Despite apparently struggling with multiple injuries in the third and fourth sets, Murray came through in four to reach the second round at Flushing Meadows.

Read how it all unfolded in our game-by-game updates below.

8.27pmIt's time for us to say goodbye, but make sure you stay on Sports Mole throughout the evening for plenty more from Flushing Meadows. We hope you enjoyed that weird match as much as we did! Good evening.

8.26pmThe Scot apologises to Haase at the net for his laboured play, but you have to hand it to him for the way he battled there. Haase will undoubtedly be fuming that he's missed out on the chance to knock out a top seed.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 6-1 5-6* MurrayGAME, SET AND MATCH MURRAY! I really don't know how he's come through that fourth set, but Andy Murray is through to the second round of the US Open.

8.25pmMATCH POINT Murray...

8.24pmMurray's shoulder is really hurting on serve now, but somehow he saves the break point with a backhand winner. Can he see this out?

8.23pmAnother break point for the Dutchman after a gripping point that seemed to last for an age. The second-longest rally of the match.

8.21pmDrama! Haase's return is called long, but he challenges and indeed it was in. "Replay the point," says the umpire. Haase is in control and has an easy volley for the break, but puts it into the net.

8.21pmMurray saves the first with a looping serve out wide that Haase can only hit way long on the return.

8.20pmTerrible forehand from Muzza and Haase has two break-back points...

8.20pmHaase attacks on the return at 15-15 and finds a winner. Two more like that and we'll be in a tie-break.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 6-1 5-6* MurrayBREAK! Amazingly, Murray will serve for the match after angrily blasting a high forehand return onto the line for a clean winner at 30-40.

8.16pmHaase tries to force Murray with a drop-shot and it seems to have worked, but he can't make the lob count. Murray grabs his quad in pain, but he's now got two break points...

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 6-1 *5-5 MurrayAll square in the fourth as Haase's backhand at 40-30 fails to make it halfway up the net.

8.11pmSometimes Murray's effortlessness can look downright lazy, but when he's like this it's just mesmorising. Corner to corner to corner to corner from the Scot. 40-0.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 6-1 5-4* MurrayBREAK BACK! And Haase double faults. What is in the air at the Louis Armstrong court?!

8.08pmSee-saw, topsy-turvy. Call it what you like, this match is so hard to call. Murray now with a break-back point...

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 6-1 *5-3 MurrayBREAK! All that momentum that Murray had from the last game evaporates as his exhausted demeanour returns. Funny old game, this.

8.05pmMurray holds his groin, his quad and then his arm all within a couple of points. How achy can one man be and carry on playing?! 15-40 and two break points for Haase.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 6-1 4-3* MurrayBREAK BACK! But it doesn't matter! The Scot produces a backhand right to the feet of Haase and, incredibly, we're back on serve in the fourth set!

8.01pmOooh dear, oh no. Murray produces a brilliant backhand winner for another break point, but he appears to have hurt himself in the process.

7.59pmHe does, opening up break-back point but Haase saves it with a cool forehand.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 6-1 *4-2 MurrayMurray wins the next two points to hold and he seems to be a little more upbeat. Can he put some pressure on the Haase serve?

7.56pmMurray does look a little better now, but he's still got loads to do if he is going to avoid a fifth set in the first round of the US Open. He's just surrendered a 30-0 advantage and it's 30-30.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 6-1 4-1* MurrayLet's see what happens at this change of ends then. Haase is within two games of the fourth set, but is now being treated for what seems to be a left ankle problem.

7.52pmAfter connecting with a sublime forehand, Haase tells the umpire that he wants to see the trainer! Are both men struggling with injury out there? If so, Haase is handling it better.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 6-1 *3-1 MurrayAnd he takes it to win his first game for over three quarters of an hour. Despite that, he continues to grimace and hold his groin.

7.50pmHaase's backhand return at 30-15 dips just out, but he follows it up with a winner off the return on the next. Murray still with game point...

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 6-1 3-0* MurrayThat's now nine games on the trot for Haase, and Murray doesn't seem to be interested in getting the trainer out at the change of ends. He's slumped in his chair with a towel on his head.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 6-1 *2-0 MurrayBREAK! Murray moved better at times there, but still couldn't hang on and hold. He looks completely desolate and you wonder if he will carry on for the whole five sets.

7.42pmMurray's serves at the moment are awfully weak, Haase should be attacking every time.

7.41pmThe first change of ends in a set is never prolonged, so we'll have to wait until after the third game to see if Murray will request the trainer's assistance.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 6-1 1-0* MurrayHaase knows that all he has to do is stay calm because Murray's lack of movement means that he can't win enough points for a game. Could the 2012 champion's tournament end at the first round?

7.38pmMurray seems to have called for the trainer and he might need treatment at the next change of ends. He's back out for the start of the fourth and swats a forehand winner into the corner. He's still not moving well, though. 0-15.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 6-1 *0-0 MurraySET! And Murray floats over a serve that Haase puts away. Murray has started doing his trademark 'I'm a little injured' face and is now stretching at the change of ends.

7.34pmSluggish forehand into the net from Murray to bring up set point Haase...

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 5-1 MurrayMurray's only point there came from a Haase double fault at 40-0. The Scot has given up on this set, but should try to win this next game so that he can serve first in the fourth.

7.31pmMurray has now changed into a white t-shirt and is looking far from comfortable in the New York sunshine. Haase just hit a backhand that the Scot would usually go for, but he didn't even consider tracking it down.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] *4-1 MurrayDOUBLE BREAK! Murray shoots long with a backhand and that's now four games in a row for the world number 70.

7.28pmExcellent on-the-reach return from Haase and he has another chance to go a double break in front...

7.27pmMurray saves a double-break point and needs to get his head sorted quickly otherwise Haase will be winning this set and gaining confidence.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 3-1* MurrayChance wasted by Muzza and he's now two games behind in the third set and still has plenty of work to do. He looks completely uninterested at the moment, but is still producing the odd moment of lethargic magic.

7.23pmThe Scot should be level, but he hits an easy forehand into the tape and doesn't get the luck of the net cord.

7.22pmBreak-back point for Murray as his backhand is returned long by Haase...

7.20pmMurray will want to hit back straight away and that's a nice way to start, manouevering Haase from left to right before flashing a forehand into the corner.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] *2-1 MurrayBREAK! Haase finally converts on break point number five and I'm really surprised that Murray isn't running away with this third set.

7.16pmMurray might look fed up at the moment, but when he's producing backhands like that, who cares?! Back to deuce again!

7.15pmYet again he is denied as Murray wrongfoots the Dutchman with a forehand at the net. Haase is so angry that he tries to eat his racket. Can't imagine it tastes all that good.

7.14pmLazy backhand slice from Murray that doesn't make it over the net and Haase has another break point...

7.13pmBeautifully-placed forehand while moving forward by Haase to bring up break point, but he's denied by Murray's equally pinpoint ACE.

7.11pmNeither man is holding back here in the third game of the third set. Almost every rally is turning into a war of whose hardest shot will be good enough. They're level at 30-30.

7.09pmSome interesting stats from the second set, Haase won six more points!

Total points won: Haase 38-32 Murray
Aces: Haase 4-1 Murray
Double faults: Haase 1-2 Murray
Winners: Haase 13-7 Murray
Unforced errors: Haase 12-12 Murray

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 1-1* MurrayMurray also takes Haase to deuce, but he, like his opponent, can't make an early breakthrough in the third set.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] *0-1 MurrayMurray starts the first game of the third in comfortable fashion, but soon Haase is back in it at deuce. He can't open up a break-point chance though and Murray closes out with his fourth game point.

6.58pmThat really was a gripping breaker. Some tantalising tennis from both ends, but Murray's quality just showed in the end. Haase will be really down and you wonder if this third set could be a cruise for Murray.

Haase 3-6 6-7[6] 0-0* MurraySET! This time he converts as Haase fires just long with his approach. Murray will be over the moon to have come through that set, but it was far from convincing by the two-time Grand Slam champion.

SECOND SET TIE-BREAK: Haase 6-7* MurrayMINI-BREAK! On the line! Murray's inside-out forehand catches the outside edge of the line and it's set point number three for the Scot.

SECOND SET TIE-BREAK: Haase *6-6 MurrayHaase roars with delight as he crashes a forehand winner into the open court. He's saved two set points and we're back level in the breaker.

SECOND SET TIE-BREAK: Haase *5-6 MurrayMINI-BREAK! Murray challenges the first serve, but it was out and he then shoots long with a backhand.

SECOND SET TIE-BREAK: Haase 4-6* MurrayA tame first serve from Murray, but he comes out on top after Haase lobs long. Two set points for Muzza...

SECOND SET TIE-BREAK: Haase 4-5* MurrayHaase back within one point as he puts a backhand just out of Murray's control.

SECOND SET TIE-BREAK: Haase *3-5 MurrayA dragged backhand from Murray, Haase still in this.

SECOND SET TIE-BREAK: Haase *2-5 MurrayACE from Murray. Haase challenges, but Hawk-Eye shows that the ball landed slap bang on the line.

SECOND SET TIE-BREAK: Haase 2-4* MurrayMINI-BREAK! Great response from Haase, who blasts a backhand return of his own up the line that Murray can't return. The duo change ends with Murray one mini-break in front.

SECOND SET TIE-BREAK: Haase 1-4* MurrayMINI-BREAK! Wowee! Murray goes for broke on the second-serve return and somehow hits an in-to-out backhand on the line. What a shot!

SECOND SET TIE-BREAK: Haase *1-3 MurrayMINI-BREAK! First falter of the breaker and it comes from Haase, who nets a weak forehand.

SECOND SET TIE-BREAK: Haase *1-2 MurrayAnother superb point, can they just play the whole game as a tie-break please? Murray wins it thanks to some brilliant defence.

SECOND SET TIE-BREAK: Haase 1-1* MurrayThis is great! Murray responds with a gorgeous forehand pass when Haase looked set to earn the first mini-break.

SECOND SET TIE-BREAK: Haase 1-0* MurrayAwesome point to start as the pair trade incredible shots at the start of the rally before Murray cracks on a simple forehand.

Haase 3-6 6-6(*0-0) MurrayTIE-BREAK! Murray holds to 15 and we'll have a tie-break to decide the second set.

6.43pmHaase is certainly one of the more impatient players I've seen. Once a rally gets past the 10-stroke mark, he seems to think 'right, time for a big'un' and just fires for a winner. It doesn't often work and his latest gung-ho forehand sails out. 15-15.

Haase 3-6 6-5* MurrayWhat a game from the 27-year-old! By far the best hold of the match as he produces four first serves and wraps up the game with a backhand winner down the line. Over to you, Andy...

Haase 3-6 *5-5 MurrayMurray isn't fazed, first delivering an ACE up the middle before Haase wildly slices a backhand miles out. Pressure back on the Dutchman.

6.37pmBIG pass from Haase! His backhand down the line is just out of reach for Murray and he's now two points away from the set...

6.37pmHaase wins the opening point, but Murray is now 30-15 in front after some hitting right to the lines.

6.35pmBy the way, if you're on Twitter and like tennis you really should be following our dedicated account - @SMTennis_.

6.35pm

Andy Murray is about to serve to stay in the second set against Robin Haase. LIVE: http://t.co/Usp7MkeBMc pic.twitter.com/jDxdTBV7XR

— Sports Mole (@SportsMole) August 25, 2014

Haase 3-6 5-4* MurrayMurray will see that as a missed opportunity, but he must re-focus as a slack service game here will see him lose the set.

6.31pmGutsy stuff from Haase as a forehand dips short and allows Murray to approach on break point, but he responds with a curling cross-court pass that was very much out of Murray's textbook.

6.30pmMurray produces two excellent points at 40-15 to take us back to deuce and he can now sniff a break and the chance to serve for the second set.

Haase 3-6 *4-4 MurrayThe Scot recovers and that was resilient from the 2012 champion. Haase should have perhaps put more pressure on him when he looked vulnerable, but his groundstrokes didn't crack and that could be a huge hold in the game.

6.24pmDear me, two double faults in a row from Murray and that's now seven for the match. He's down 15-30 on serve.

Haase 3-6 4-3* MurrayHaase's first ACE of the second set seals the seventh game. Murray had chances to make that game a lot more difficult for the Dutchman, but is somewhere in between second and third gear at the moment.

Haase 3-6 *3-3 MurrayAnd just like that, we're back level in the second set. There was definitely a bit of extra zip in Haase's groundstrokes after he was broken straight back, but unfortunately for the Dutchman it took them out of play.

Haase 3-6 3-2* MurrayBREAK BACK! Murray should go 0-30 in front, but makes a mess of some short balls before producing another unforced error off the forehand wing. He regains the ascendency with a perfectly-placed return, but Haase is the one to go 40-30 in front. He can't take his chance to close the game out though and soon it's break point Murray after a feeble drop shot from Haase. Muzza controls the point from the outset and Haase's overhit forehand means that the break didn't even last a game.

6.09pmMurray will now have to fight back in this second set. Here's how he looks in New York this year:

Haase 3-6 *3-1 MurrayBREAK! Murray saves a second break point of the set with some deep, consistent hitting that eventually wears Haase down. He presents his opponent with another, though, by dumping a high volley into the net and this time Haase converts, pinning Murray back with some deep backhands before the Scot pushes a forehand wide.

6.06pmDenied by Murray as his miscued backhand fortunately lands just inside the line before a couple of blows with the forehand bring us back to deuce.

6.06pmMurray's audacious lob is called just out. The eighth seed challenges, but the ball was just long and that gives Haase BREAK POINT...

Haase 3-6 2-1* MurrayAfter a brilliant up-the-line backhand earned him the first point, Murray is denied going 0-30 in front by an extremely fortunately net cord that just dribbled over onto Murray's side. It's four points in a row soon after for Haase, who closes out the game in superb style with a down-the-line backhand of his own. Top tennis.

Haase 3-6 *1-1 MurrayMurray levels up the second and shows off some power off his own with a 100mph+ forehand winner at 40-30.

Haase 3-6 1-0* MurrayGood start to the second set for Haase, who holds to love and seals the game with a big serve out wide that Mr Murray can't put back in play.

5.54pmSo pretty poor from that viewpoint for Murray, but he got the job done.

5.53pmSome stats from the opening set:

Total points won: Haase 24-33 Murray
Aces: Haase 1-3 Murray
Double faults: Haase 2-5 Murray
Winners: Haase 10-9 Murray
Unforced errors: Haase 14-9 Murray

Haase 3-6 *0-0 MurraySET! No problem for Muzza on his second set point as he finds the middle corner of the service box to wrap up the set 6-3.

5.50pmFair play to Murray, he doesn't hold back at all and goes really aggressive to save it.

5.48pmA fantastic crescendo of a point from the two men on set point Murray as the pace quickens before Haase attacks the net and takes the game to deuce with a well-executed drop volley. He then finds a clean winner off the return and has the chance to break again...

5.46pmThree double-faults now for Murray and it's 15-30 in Haase's favour. Murray hardly convincing as he looks to go one set in front.

Haase 3-5* MurrayHaase makes Murray serve it out with a hold to 15. Some great serving and forehands from the Dutchman there. He seems to have got over that nervy start that is likely to cost him the first set.

Haase *2-5 MurrayNope. Murray moves within a game of the first set by holding to love. Here's a picture of that amazing angled serve from Haase.

Murray (Top right corner) just returned a ball from where he is in this photo. Haase netted a poor volley. pic.twitter.com/cPl3FuaIzV

— Game, Set, Match (@Tennis17MAD) August 25, 2014

Haase 2-4* MurrayHaase holds for the first time thanks to a couple of first serves from deuce. Can he now break Murray again to get back on level terms in the opener?

5.37pmHaase's serves to the advantage side of the court are very peculiar. He sometimes stands really wide and just then Murray made a return that almost took off a spectator's head because the serve was so wide, somehow winning the point too as Haase netted the volley.

5.37pmOr not, he then double-faults. 30-30.

5.36pmFor once, Murray loses out in a lengthy baseline rally and that sort of point will only spur Haase on as he looks to get himself into the match.

5.35pmDespite not winning a trophy for 12 months, Murray has said in the run-up to this tournament that he is in the "best shape that I have been in for a long time".

Haase *1-4 MurrayONE BREAK BACK! Haase is on the board with a break to 15. He overpowered Murray to bring up two break points and was then gifted a game by Murray's overhit forehand from mid-court.

Haase 0-4* MurrayDOUBLE BREAK! Murray's pass is too hot to handle at 30-30 and he brings up break point. He can't take it as Haase finds a first serve that Murray fails to return. At deuce, Haase stops the point to challenge a deep Murray forehand but he was wrong to do so as it did graze the back of the line. Second break point and again Haase's serve is unreturnable. A third break point soon follows and this time he takes a commanding four-game lead as Haase nets a backhand slice.

5.28pmConfidence-boosting forehand winner from Haase to prevent Murray going 0-40 in front on his serve again. You feel that the Dutchman has to hold here if he is going to have any chance of winning the first set.

5.27pm

It's time for @andy_murray at the 2014 @usopen - RT to show Andy your support! #BackTheBrits pic.twitter.com/4XorxSxGLa

— British Tennis (@BritishTennis) August 25, 2014

Haase *0-3 MurrayMurray isn't wasting any time today. He holds to 15 and Haase reallly doesn't look like getting on the scoreboard at the moment.

Haase 0-2* MurrayBREAK! And the Scot converts straight away, getting lucky with a net cord that forces Haase into the net before expertly lobbing his opponent.

5.21pmPoor from Haase as he nets a simple backhand volley to present Murray with THREE BREAK POINTS...

5.20pmIncredibly, Haase does exactly the same as Murray on his opening service point with a double-fault. Come on lads, you're professionals!

Haase *0-1 MurrayMurray wins three points on the bounce from 15-30 to hold serve in the opening game. Good enough start, but he will be wary of his opponent's big-hitting that saw him go 15-30 in front.

5.17pmThe worst start possible for Muzza as he double-faults on the opening point. The next rally is much longer, but won by Murray as Haase nets a forehand.

5.15pmWe're just about ready to go on Louis Armstrong stadium. Murray, who will serve first, is in a grey top and black shorts with green shoes and sweatbands. Haase keeps it traditional, he's all in white.

5.11pmAfter breaking his Slam duck at the 2012 tournament in New York, Murray won Wimbledon last year but is yet to win one of the big four this year. This event offers him the last chance to do so and he will fancy his chances as he enjoys the surface at Flushing Meadows.

5.08pmAt the 2011 tournament Murray played Haase at this tournament and needed five sets to beat him. The two have since met at last year's Australian Open, where Murray eased to a straight-sets victory.

5.05pmAs mentioned above, Murray won't have it easy in New York as he has been seeded eighth. Today he takes on world number 70 Robin Haase and the pair have history at Flushing Meadows.

5.02pmHello there tennis fans! Our first live commentary of this year's US Open involves British number one Andy Murray, who is chasing his first Grand Slam of 2014.

Live Commentary: Robin Haase vs. Andy Murray - as it happened

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