MX23RW : Friday, March 29 09:21:23| >> :600:270543100:270543100:

Live Coverage: US Open - Day Two - Andy Murray vs. Nick Kyrgios

Sports Mole brings you live coverage of day two at the US Open, where Simona Halep, Roger Federer and Andy Murray will all be in action.
2

Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of day two at the US Open in New York.

Women's world number two Simona Halep will be getting her Flushing Meadows campaign underway against New Zealand's Marina Erakovic early in the order of play.

Elsewhere, men's number two Roger Federer will begin his tournament with a first-round clash against Leonardo Mayer, while Tuesday's late-night match will see Britain's Andy Murray taking on Australian maverick Nick Kyrgios.

Follow all of the live action from the day's events with our minute-by-minute coverage below.


Sort:
Newest
Oldest
Afternoon all and welcome to our live coverage of day two of the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York. Today we will be seeing action from the likes of Simona Halep, Roger Federer and Andy Murray, who will all be looking to book places in the second round of the American showpiece.

First up will be women's world number two Halep as she takes on New Zealand's Marina Erakovic, with play scheduled in that clash for just after 4pm. Roger Federer will then be taking on Leonardo Mayer at around at 8pm this evening. The day's late-night event will see Andy Murray facing controversial Australian star Nick Kyrgios at sometime close to midnight.

We will also see some of Britain's other hopefuls in action on what is set to be a beautifully sunny day in New York. Laura Robson is due to face Russia's Elena Vesnina's just after 6pm.

In the men's draw, James Ward is preparing to face Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci around the same sort of time as Robson's contest, while Aljaz Bedene is also in action against Ernests Gulbis as part of the 6pm slots.

More major events in the men's game are due to take place this evening, given that fan favourite Stan Wawrinka will be taking on Albert Ramos somewhere between 10pm and 11pm depending on how other games pan out. We will be bringing you all of the best bits from those games, as well as providing access to our dedicated match reports for each of day two's fixtures.

Over on Arthur Ashe, Halep and Erakovic have just come out onto the court to begin their warmups. They should be getting that game underway in the next 10 minutes. You can get full coverage of that clash right here on this very blog! Will day two bring more upsets? We will soon see...

Last night Rafael Nadal did his part to ensure that he stayed in the tournament despite a poor run of form lately. He told reporters after his game that he was pleased with his victory over Borna Coric.

The umpire has called time on Ashe and we will be getting this opening contest underway in just a couple of moments. Erakovic to serve!

BREAK! Halep is straight into her game by forcing her opponent to slice a backhand return into the net, before following up with some neat cutting that encourages Erakovic to send one long. The New Zealander is sloppy again with another return that flies long, leaving Halep to take the break at the second time of asking when Erakovic fails on a baseline a challenge.

Back on her own service, Halep crunches a great forehand to cut her opponent in half and battle back to 15-15, which is then followed by a rushed bullet down the line to make it 30-15. Halep produces some poor stuff with a double fault, but then goes back ahead by forcing two errors to take the game.

Erakovic shows some nice touches early, but he drop volley fails with Halep nearly failing to make ground. The Romanian is then left stranded when Erakovic slams a wonderful shot across the court to leave Halep rooted to the spot. Erakovic then brings up a huge ace to move in front, before Halep succumbs to another bludgeon across the court. The New Zealand star takes the game by forcing a final error.

Halep moves back into the driving seat with a bread and butter two-handed push down the line to take the lead. The number two follows it up with a deep shot that sees Erakovic fire long. It looks boiling out there! More good work from Halep sees her opponent shoot another return long off service. Halep eventually wins the game when Erakovic fails with her forehand.

Erakovic has the right idea but her execution fails to work over the net to let Halep back in at 15 each. Halep tries the rush, but Erakovic is equal to it and slams one back past the Romanian's face to take the lead. The New Zealander fails after a long rally to give Halep a chance once more, which is handed back as Halep sends a return far too long. Erakovic holds with a beautiful ace.

After coming back well against Halep's serve, Erakovic tries to force the issue too early and finds herself 30-15 down. Halep then induces her to shoot long, before wrapping up the game to hold serve with the cheekiest of chips from deep after a long rally.

BREAK! Erakovic has a pretty big first serve at the moment, but she hasn't been able to make it count. Halep fails on the challenge to go 30-15 behind, but comes back when Erakovic crunches into the net following a powerful rally. After a few mistakes each, the players fall back to deuce, where Halep soon moves out in front with a wide one that just about stays in. Halep claims her second break when Erakovic comes up short into the net. The world number two is now serving for the first set...

SET! Things soon arrive at 30-0 with Halep looking confident with some powerful shots on the forehand. The Romanian then fails from deep with a shot that finds the net to give Erakovic hope. It does not last long, however, as Halep eventually takes the set by forcing her opponent to push long.

We're in the process of a medical time-out at the moment, as Erakovic receives some treatment on the side after the conclusion of the first set. It appears as if her team are concentrating on an area on her right leg...

BREAK! Halep goes ahead early on Erakovic's serve by going on the defence to force an error. Her opponent then replies with a wonderful ace, but cannot follow up as she sends a backhand into the net from deep. The scores are then level when Halep turns her backhand into the net too. Halep is presented with break point after a long rally, which she willingly accepts when Erakovic misses a fairly easy forehand.

Halep opens with a world-class ace that sees no response from a stranded Erakovic, who later replies with some much needed power. She does have it, but it does not seem that sustainable over the course of this game. Halep comes back with a second ace of the game to make it 30-15, before going back level after failing on a wide challenge. It does not really stop her, though, as she responds with a booming forehand down the line. Halep holds when Erakovic chips wide after a long and consuming rally. Any other player might have slipped up then, but not Halep!

BREAK! More brilliant work from the Romanian sees her move 30-0 ahead off Erakovic's serve. Erakovic grabs a point with a clever drop over the net that sees Halep notice her efforts with an accepting nod. Niceties are soon over, however, when Halep breaks once more following a backhand error and a killer punch down the right line. Two breaks already in this set...

Interesting, Erakovic has just retired - giving Halep easy progression into the next round.

ERAKOVIC RETIRES, HALEP PROGRESSES INTO THE SECOND ROUND

Erakovic had a medical break a little earlier this contest and it appears as though she has pulled out through an injury. Halep was dominating that game - it was probably for the best for the New Zealander. Halep played some impressive tennis in that clash, both offensively and defensively. The Romanian now marches into the second round without having to break much of a sweat on a sweltering day at Flushing Meadows.

If you want read our match report from this clash then you can head over here. We also have news that Britain's Johanna Konta has beaten Louisa Chirico in straight sets. You can get the lowdown on that second match here.

In the men's game, Gilles Simon currently holds a first-set lead over America's Donald Young. The Frenchman took the first set 6-2 and they players now find themselves at two games each in the second.

RESULT! Over at the Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko has just completed a 6-1 6-1 straight sets victory over Lucie Safarova - that's a pretty big shock given that the Czech player is currently as the sixth seed in the women's draw. More on that result here.

Britain's hopes have already been boosted this afternoon following the victory of Johanna Konta. Her result has now given way to Laura Robson's match, with the 21-year-old taking on Elena Vesnina on Court 11. We will keep you posted with her progress in that contest as it develops.

In fact, we're going to jump right into that contest for you now... Robson finds herself 1-0 up in the first game, with Vesnina now serving.

Vesnina moves back level with a strong display on her own service. Robson won't mind too much as she looks to grow into this encounter.

Robson is struggling a touch on her service and Vesnina capitalises to take a 30-0 lead, before Robson comes back into the game with some improved deep serving to make it 30-30. Robson gets a little unlucky with a shot that is caught out by the net, leaving Vesnina with break point. The Russian cannot take it as she sends her return long to bring about deuce. Advantage is then presented again soon after, only for Robson to come back by forcing an error on the backhand. Vesnina goes back in front when Robson fails on the return, but her opponent fails yet again with a shot into the net. Hmm.. a double fault follows next for the youngster, before she comes back into it with two brilliant aces to take the lead. Robson finally holds after a few more mistakes after Vesnina shoots long and wide.

Vesnina starts impressively with a forehand winner, but cannot keep control as she double faults on her serve. Some brilliant court observance brings the Russian into a lead, which is then wasted by a shot on the rush that flies long. Vesnina grabs another lead to hold with an ace, which she seals when Robson throws a backhand wide of the lines.

Both players have shown glimpses of quality in the early stages, but Vesnina is wasteful once more when she sends another one wide off Robson's serve. She makes amends with the next shot, though, as her thump flies punishingly down the line past Robson.The Briton fights back to move into an advantage lead and manages to hold as Vesnina tries to power down the line again, only to send her shot beyond the baseline.

BREAK! Some nice defensive tennis from Robson sees her thump continuously from deep until Vesnina eventually sends a return long. The youngster continues to make good progress on the Russian's serve by going 30-0 ahead after her opponent double faults. Vesnina fails again with another long one, presenting Robson with break point. The 21-year-old accepts at the second attempt when Vesnina gets it all wrong with a poor backhand that flies way beyond to make it 15 unforced errors.

Moving back onto her own serve, Robson gains a 30-15 lead after Vesnina comes up with another two unforced errors, before the young Briton picks up a wonderful forehand winner down the side. Robson soon takes a 5-2 lead on a second chance for the hold thanks to a memorable smash.

Serving to stay in the first set, Vesnina does well to move quickly into 40-0 lead with some aggressive tennis that concludes in a forehand smash into the corner. The game ends as Robson fails on the forehand, but the British hopeful now has the chance to serve for the set!

SET! Robson opens delightfully with a standout backhand, but Vesnina strikes back with a punishing whip of her own. Robson continues to trust her own service and claims an important point on second service when the Russian cannot return. The youngster comes up trumps again to establish set point with a wonderful forehand crunch across the court. Robson eventually takes the set when Vesnina shoots into the mesh.

Vesnina opens up the second set by losing a point on an error and then another with a terrible double fault. These could cost her dearly in this game. Robson's radar is later wayward as she fires wide, before being undone by a flat serve from Vesnina. Robson is not done yet, though, as she goes 40-30 ahead with a bullet of a shot across the court. Vesnina does brilliantly to avoid the break with an inch-perfect smother down the left side of the court to make it 40-40. Some errors get the way for both players, and Vesnina soon holds when Robson lobs wide.

BREAK! Not the best from Robson as two double faults put Vesnina in the driving seat, but Robson comes back into it with solid defensive work that sees the Russian shoot long to bring things back to 40-40. Vesnina takes on the second serve to take another advantage, and Robson eventually loses out when she shoots wide after scrambling from deep.

It appears as though Vesnina has moved through the gears now as she produces a telling lob that sets up a well-worked attacking point. The Russian races through her service pretty much unchallenged to take a 3-0 lead in the second set.

Vesnina is making this all on her terms at the moment! The Russian reads Robson's play well to score a great forehand winner down in the corner. Robson responds with some real aggressive intent to bring things back to 15-15, after having some stern words with the umpire. She follows that up with a spectacular ace to take a 30-15 lead, but then surrenders at 30-30. Ooh! Great work from Robson as she then comes up with more brutal return work. The Briton holds with a serve that sees Vesnina return long.

Vesnina is not put off by Robson's seeming resurgence and she moves 40-15 ahead on her serve. Robson does not give up, however, and she battles back to 40-30, before being outdone by a classy chip over the net from deep.

Robson is obviously struggling with her service rhythm as she gives Vesnina a few easy points early on in the sixth game. It goes from bad to worse for Robson who produces a double fault, but then fights back with a cross-court whip to make it 40-40. Vesnina reads the next second serve and returns an untouchable bullet, before only being able to send long to waste her break point. Robson then goes in front with a telling first serve, before closing the hold when Vesnina finds the net.

We might be headed for a third and final set, me thinks! Vesnina does not let up back on her serve and she races through with a forceful ace backed by some dominant attacking play on the third ball.

Not the best of starts for Robson as she comes up with a double fault, however the 21-year-old responds with consecutive points that are finished up with an ace and a Vesnina forced error to give the Briton the hold.

SET! Wonderful service from the Russian sees her storm ahead at 30-0 with an impressive ace, and it's soon 40-0 when Robson fails with her forehand return. Vesnina caps the set off with a perfectly-placed backhand winner.

And into the final set we go, with Robson opening up on the serve. The Briton brings about mass applause with a standout backhand volley winner for 15-0, before then moving to 30-0 when Vesnina cuts across the court and wide. More dominant attacking from the server sees her wrong-foot the Russian down the line. The game is concluded when the youngster sees her opponent fire into the net.

BREAK! Agressive returning from Robson allows her to steal back in at 15-15, and then she moves in front with a lucky forehand that grabs the point out wide. Robson moves to two break points when Vesnina produces a poor unforced error. Britain's hopeful takes the break at the second attempt as her Russian opponent crunches into the net.

Wonderful tennis now from Robson as she looks to seize the initiative on her own service. The scores soon stand at 30-0 following some Russian errors, and Robson eventually makes it 3-0 when Vesnina fails to return her second service at 40-15.

BREAK! Cool work under intense pressure early on from Vesnina, who completes an ace to move 30-0 in front. Robson hits back with a wobbler that her opponent sends out wide. More clever pressure shots down into the corner from Robson see Vesnina find the net to move the scores level. The Russian sends an unforced error out the back of the court, pushing Robson onto break point... and she takes it when Vesnina hits wide yet again!

BREAK! Poor service work, including a late double fault, sees Robson surrender ground on the break she has just made to give Vesnina a snippet of a chance here in the final set.

Vesnina starts things by jumping onto the short ball to thwart Robson who sits deep. The scores then move to 30-0 when the Briton is forced into a forehand error. Vesnina delights with an ace at 40-0, but Robson climbs back into it with two smart returns to make it 40-30. Deuce is reached as Robson consistently defends her ground, but Vesnina takes an advantage by making her opponent stretch wide. Stunning! A huge cross-court shot from Robson brings about deuce once more. A long hop sees Robson concede advantage, leaving Vesnina to take the hold with a forehand point down the inside.

BREAK! Robson struggles early with a double fault, and Vesnina follows up with a bullet down into the corner to make it 30-15. Good angle work from Vesnina means that Robson has to concede again, leaving Vesnina to break back once more and level the scores... That was really poor from Robson, who might just have thrown away this game from a commanding position.

Vesnina in full flow to wrong-foot Robson after a pretty standard service showing. Robson concedes another point when she throws her return long out the back of the court. The heat might be getting to Robson now, who next sends another shot long to make it 40-0. The game is concluded as the Russian draws level at 4-4 with an ace.

A well-placed serve from Robson allows her to pull back into proceedings at 15-15, before moving in front with the sixth ace of the match. Another wobbly ace makes it 40-15, allowing Robson to hold with her next point which comes when Vesnina finds the mesh on her return. Can she break to win this contest?

Following a few errors the scores move to 15-15, where Robson takes advantage by shooting deep to force a Vesnina return that finds the net. However, Vesnina comes back with some forceful tennis across the court, leaving Robson stranded. The Russian moves ahead with a rush as Robson goes the wrong way. Robson is not put off, though, and she reaches deuce with a standout two-handed finish down the line. Impressive service from Vesnina puts her back ahead on advantage and she takes the game when Robson pulls long.

BREAK! Not the start Robson wanted as she double faults yet again in this contest. Hmm, and then another to make it 40-0. The youngster is then punished when she throws another wide one. You get the sense that Vesnina won't throw this on her own serve.

GAME, SET & MATCH! Vesnina gets things going with her ninth ace of the game to take a 15-0 lead, but parity is reached when the Russian returns wide of the line. She loses sight of the ball to allow Robson to march ahead at 30-15. The Briton cannot follow it up, though, given that her next shot balloons high and wide. An ace sets up match point, which is taken when Robson fires long. How disappointing for the youngster.

We will have to turn our attentions to Leonardo Mayer vs. Roger Federer in a few moments, but let's quickly reflect on that defeat for Robson. The 21-year-old basically threw that game away having been two break points up in that decider. Questions will of course be asked of her service, as she was arguably punished on the second serve by her Russian opponent. As for Vesnina, what a comeback!

While we were focusing on Robson, Caroline Wozniacki claimed a comfortable victory over Jamie Loeb in straight sets. More information on that here.

In the men's side of things, Tomas Berdych has also booked a place in the second round with a tidy victory over Bjorn Fratangelo.

Let's now focus on that clash between Mayer and Federer, we will be bringing you game-by-game updates from that clash from here on in...

Federer opens up with a win on his service with some opening pressure tennis on the defence. The Swiss serves well and uses the third shot on more than one occasion to score his points.

BREAK! Impressive work from Mayer on his first two shots, as he moves 30-0 ahead with a forced error and backhand winner. He slips up, though, when he produces a poor double fault, before allowing Federer back in when he sends the end of a rally wide. Mayer responds well with a strong second serve, but throws away an advantage with a double fault. Another double puts Federer in the driving seat, and he takes the break when Mayer sends a return long.

Federer seems like he is feeling this contest already. The world number two races to a 40-15 lead, before finishing the game off with a memorable forehand whip that sees Mayer concede another error when his return flies out.

More punishing play from Federer as he opens up down the line to march towards another break point. Mayer fails again when he double faults at 40-0, before squeezing a solitary effort down Roger's line. Federer then comes up with a shot measured to perfection to run a ball down the line past Mayer and seal the break.

You get the sense that this set is already over, as sad as that is for Mayer who has really struggled in these opening stages. A double fault is not enough to unnerve Federer, who eventually holds after a tough battle at deuce to take the fifth game by forcing the Argentine into a forced error on the forehand.

Mayer wins his first game of the set with a love service game. You do get the feeling that Federer was saving his energy for his service game as he now prepares to serve out for the set. The Argentine was accurate on his serve and won the points with relative ease as the Swiss committed his fair share of unforced errors.

SET! Federer clinches the first set with a love service game of his own. It was relatively easy for the Swiss as he produced a couple of winner from his forehand, aided by a couple of long shots from Mayer to clinch the game. The number two seed looks in imperious form!

An important hold for the Argentine to clinch the first game of the set. His serve was much better than his efforts in the first set and he was able to put the Swiss on the back foot. Mayer still needed a couple of long forehands from Federer to secure the hold, which he may not get in future games.

Federer produces an excellent series of groundstrokes to race into a 40-15 lead, including one powerful forehand down the line. Mayer keeps himself in the game with an impressive backhand of his own, which clips the line. However, the Swiss holds with another winner.

The two players exchange groundstrokes to take the score to 15-15, but Mayer produces his best tennis of the match to take the lead with a cross-court forehand and volley at the net. However, Federer manages to battle back to force deuce as the Argentine tries to come to net to volley again, but this time the Swiss produces a vicious backhand at his body. Mayer secures the hold as Federers puts two loose returns into the net.

Holds do not come much simpler for Federer as he produces a love service game. He dominates the court with a couple of winners on his forehand and then a volley at the net with powerful backhand slice. The Swiss compounds his advantage with a cross-court ace. Pretty emphatic.

BREAK! Federer takes a 30-15 lead as Mayer is loose with his forehand which goes long and wide on two occasions. However, he battles back with a winner down the line, but can then only watch as Federer produces a backhand slice, which clips the line to earn the Swiss a break point. Mayer is able to bring the game back to deuce, but Federer applies further pressure on his serve and the Argentine can't hold him and produces a fatal error to hand the Swiss the break.

I may have been wrong when I said holds do not come simpler than that for Federer in his previous service game as he has just blitzed past the Argentine within a minute to win the game. Mayer's confidence looks shot and he goes long with a couple of forehands to hand the Swiss game point before Federer produces an ace to secure the game. The set looks to be done and dusted for the number two seed.

BREAK! Mayer looks beaten in this set as he loses another service game to put him well and truly on the back foot in the match. Federer is in complete command of the court as he produces a 30-0 lead with a couple of flourishing forehands down the line. The Swiss makes a rare error at the net to allow the Argentine a point, but he is able to secure the break with absolute ease. He will now serve for the set.

SET! Two impressive shots fire Federer into a 30-0 lead, although his attempt at a third falls just wide of the line. An error from Mayer hands him two game points. The Swiss tries to win the game with a serve and volley, but Mayer manages to produce a quality passing shot to extend the set. However, seals the set with a jumping smash at the net to take a two-set lead.

Mayer takes a 30-0 lead as he manages to find rhythm on his forehand, but Federer comes back with a passing shot off his backhand, which somehow creeps past the Argentine. However, Mayer secures the hold as Federer smashes his forehand into the net. Maybe that will breath a bit of confidence into the 28-year-old's game.

Mayer battles well to take the game to Federer at 30-30, although a miss down the line and a forehand into the net allows the number two seed to hold. Better intensity from the Argentine.

BREAK! Mayer goes long with a forehand to hand Federer the initiative in his service game, but the Argentine manages to rally back with a series of impressive groundstrokes to tie the game at 30-30. Federer goes wide with a forehand to hand him game point, but the Swiss rallies with a quality shot down the line. The Swiss earns a break point with a powerful strike at the body of the Argentine before he clinces the break with a blast down the middle.

Federer continues to dominate as he powers the ball across the court and Mayer keeps on making mistakes to hand the Swiss easy points, especially at the back of the court. Federer makes a rare mistake when he slams the ball into the net at 40-30, but Mayer bails him with yet another unforced error to win the game.

BREAK! Mayer sums up his match in the space of a point as he hits an excellent passing shot past the Swiss down the line, but is then loose on his next stroke by placing it beyond the baseline. He simply cannot afford to make those mistakes against Federer, and is duly punished as a wide forehand hands the 34-year-old a break point which he takes a Mayer places a backhand into the net.

Another unforced error hands Federer the lead and he needs no invitation to power to make it 40-0 lead with a couple of winners down the line. The 34-year-old secures the game with a serve and volley, which the Argentine has no answer for.

Mayer extends the match as Federer, once again, appears to conserve his energy to serve out for the match. The Argentine still produces a couple of quality forehands across the court, including one to seal the game which had Federer rooted to the spot.

GAME, SET, MATCH! Federer eases to victory as he finishes with an ace and an unreturnable serve across the court, which Mayer sticks his racquet on, but the balls lands two feet away from him. An excellent performance from the Swiss as he sails into the second round of the tournament. Mayer was simply beaten by the better player, although he will rue a lot of simple mistakes he made throughout the contest.

Another man who is through to the second round of the US Open is British numner two Aljaz Bedene. The 26-year-old was level against Ernests Gulbis after two sets, although he did hold a 3-0 lead in the third before Gulbis opted to retire due to an injury. For more on the match, click here.

Slovenia's Aljaz Bedene plays a shot during his men's singles match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic on day two of the 2015 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2015© Getty Images


One Briton not through to the next round is James Ward as he crashed out of the competition in straight sets to Thomass Bellucci. For more on that match, click here.

Veteran Ivo Karlovic is also through to the next round of the US Open as he overcame Federico Delbonis in straight sets, sending down 21 aces in the match. The Croat will face Jiri Vesely in the second round. Read here for more.

Number 12 seed Richard Gasquet as avoided a scare in the first round as his opponent Thanasi Kokkinakis was forced to retire due to problems with cramp in their fifth-set decider. The Australian held a 2-1 lead going into the fourth, but the Frenchman battled back to set up a deciding set, and earned his place in the second round as a result of the Kokkinakis's retirement.

Britain's Johanna Konta has revealed that she was delighted with her first-round win over Louisa Chirico at Flushing Meadows.

"I'm very happy to get another chance to compete," Konta told Sky Sports News. For more from the 24-year-old, click here.

Johanna Konta of Great Britain reacts against Louisa Chirico of the United States during their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2015 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 1, 2015© Getty Images


Two-time US Open finalist Victoria Azarenka has cruised into rhe second round of the competition. The 26-year-old defeated Lucie Hradecka in straight sets 6-1 6-2, and will now face either either Francesca Schiavone or Yanina Wickmayer in the second round.

Laura Robson has admitted that she was disppointed with the manner of her exit from the first round of the US Open. The 21-year-old lost in three sets to Elina Vesnina, despite taking the lead in the first set. Click here for more.

Laura Robson of Great Britain reacts against Elena Vesnina of Russia during their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2015 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 1, 2015© Getty Images


Wimbledon finalist Garbine Muguruza has secured her place in the second round of the US Open with a straight-sets victory over Carina Witthoeft. Read more about the Spaniard's win here.

Number 20 seed Dominic Thiem has progressed into the second round of the competition as a result of beating Daniel Gimeno-Traver in straight sets. The Austrian will now face either Benjamin Becker or Denis Istomin in the last 64. Read more here.

Andrea Petkovic has reached the second round of the US Open by coming from behind to beat Caroline Garcia in three sets. The German will play Elina Vesnina, who beat Laura Robson, in the next round. Read more here.

Lucie Safarova has withdrawn from the doubles event at the US Open due to an abdominal strain. The number six seed crashed out of the women's singles in the first round of the tournament courtesy of a straight-sets defeat to Lesia Tsurenko. For more click here.

UPDATE! Number five seed Stanislas Wawrinka has won the first set of his match aginst Albert Ramos-Vinolas. The Swiss produced the quality to earn a break with the scores poised at 6-5 to take the set 7-5. Composed tennis by Wawrinka.

Roger Federer has revealed that he was concerned about facing Leonardo Mayer in their first-round clash at the US Open. The number two seed eased past the Argentine in straight sets in a match that lasted just 77 minutes.

He told reporters: "Yesterday and today I was worried for the match. I had a feeling this was not going to be a good day. Plus I practiced with him, so I wasn't too calm. I am happy now of the way it went and I am confident."


UPDATE! Trouble for Wawrinka at the start of the second set as he has been broken by Ramos-Vinolas, who then held his own serve to take a 2-0 lead in the set.

Number 15 seed Kevin Anderson has booked his place in the second round of the competition by defeating 17-year-old Russian Andrey Rublev in four sets. Read our report of the action here.

Kevin Anderson of South Africa reacts after beating Richard Gasquet of France in their men's singles match on day five of the 2015 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 23, 2015© Getty Images


UPDATE! Wawrinka has broken back against Ramos-Vinolas and has now earned a crucial hold to lead the second set 5-4. The Spaniard now has to serve out to keep the set alive.

SET! Wawrinka has broken Ramos-Vinolas again to clinch the second set. A true sign of a champion to come back and secure the victory. He now leads his first-round clash two sets to nil.

As we prepare for Andy Murray's encounter with fiery Australian Nick Krygios, the Scot has been speaking about his opponent and his love of the big stage ahead of their match at Flushing Meadows.

"I'd expect him to be ready. He gets fired up for big events," Murray told BBC Sport.

"I think he likes playing on big stages, that's where he's played his best tennis."


Krygios has been speaking about his on-court antics in recent weeks, which has included an outburst against Stanislas Wawrinka during their clash at the Rogers Cup.

However, the Australian has insisted that he is not "embarrassed" by his behaviour.

"I guess I'll just learn from it," Kyrgios told the Observer. "I mean, obviously I wouldn't do it again but I wouldn't say I was embarrassed by it at all. I'm not embarrassed by it."


Philipp Kohlschreiber has battled past compatriot Alexander Zverev in five sets to reach the second round of the US Open. The number 29 seed won the deciding set 6-4 to progress to the last 64, where he will face Lukas Rosol. For more click here.

Back to Murray and Krygios! The British number one has dominated the past meetings as he boasts a 3-0 record against the Australian, including wins at the Australian Open and the French Open earlier this year.

That's all from me, so I will pass you into the hands of Shane Callaghan, who will take you through all the action of the clash between Murray and Krygios.

Thanks Simon. Good morning ladies and gents and welcome to our live text commentary as 2012 US Open champ Andy Murray takes on the bad boy of tennis in Nick Kyrgios. There could be easier first-round matches it has to be said. Murray will need to play well here. We're about 10 minutes away from the start so stay tuned.

Andy Murray has gone all Johnny Cash as the man in black emerges to mass applause from the fans inside this massive arena. It's really quite something. He's got a good record here, finding success at junior and senior level.

The duo have faced each other on three occassions, with Murray winning all three. Two of those came in Grand Slams, having beaten him in the Australian and French Open in recent years. Will it be a third-time lucky for Australian Kyrgios? We'll have to wait and see. Both players are out on court so we shouldn't be too far away now.

Tribal tattoo. Accusing somebody's girlfriend of cheating on him. Has Nick Kyrgios ever been on the Jeremy Kyle Show? If not surely it's only a matter of time. He just needs to urinate on a grave or something to complete the hat-trick of characteristics of your average JK guest.

Interestingly, Kyrgios has that arm-length tattoo covered up by a sleeve now. Is he trying to clear up his image? Perhaps. Anywho, let's go.

Murray serves up three aces to survive a scare as he takes the opening game. A couple of unforced errors allowed Kyrgios to win a break point at 40-30, but Murray won three points on the spin to hold serve. It's a tentative start but you can see the fuse has been lit already. Expect fireworks.

What a response from the Australian, who hits a couple of ferocious forehands to move 40-0 ahead. Murray claws one point back, but Kyrgios serves up an ace to level up the first set. It's early doors, but you have to say that both service games look really, really strong so far.

BREAK! Now now then. Kyrgios, who threatened a break in the opening game, makes good on his threat this time as he moves 40-30 ahead, before winning break point to move into an early lead.

GAME SET MATCH! It hasn't particularly been vintage Wawrinka in his opening round match, and momentum appeared to be shifting in his opponent's favour when Ramos-Vinolas broke the Swiss number two in the third set. The favourite finally showed his class to break the Spaniard back immediately though, and took the tiebreak to claim a 7-5 6-4 7-6 (8-6) victory!

BREAK! Murray breaks straight back in a fourth game that produced the best and worst of Kyrgios, who pulled off some cracking points to get the score back to 40-30, but he's clearly annoyed about something in that game, uttering to himself after every point lost. He needs to chill. Big time.

Here's our rep on Stan Wawrinka's victory, by the way.

Andy Murray holds, pulling off a fourth ace in the match to move 3-2 ahead and Kyrgios looks a little out of sorts. Physically, he's a fine specimen, and he's moving well, but mentally you have to wonder if he's strong enough here. So far in this match, a lack of temperament has been clear. As we said, he needs to calm down.

Kyrgios has a chat with the umpire, using the phrase 'what the hell' before gesturing at something in the audience. Lord knows what his beef is here.

The confident Kyrgios gets away with an over-hit drop shot as Murray returns, but the Australian gives him the eyes to level up emphatically. He's a joy to watch sometimes. The power he generates in those seemingly effortless returns is frightening.

A joy to watch? That's an understatement, as Kyrgios, who was 40-0 down, pulls off one of those Roger Federer through-the-legs shots. Murray returns, but Kyrgios smashes back to reduce the arrears. It isn't going to stop Murray, who holds serve to move 4-3 ahead. It takes something special to win the headlines in a game you lose, right?

Kyrgios loses the first game after mis-hitting a volley, which looked a little silly and best believe he would've felt it. It's 30-30 soon enough, before Kyrgios wins a challenge after his ace was called 'out' en route to level up the first set. Considering the way he started the game with that silly volley, he's bounced back really well here.

A poor backhand - his fifth error of the match - saw Murray fall 30-15 behind on his own, before successive aces puts him a point from a 5-4 lead. That good work was negated when another backhand error allowed Kyrgios to level up the game at 40-40, but the Scot bounces back well to eventually take the lead. Good mental strength there. Kyrgios serves to save the first set next!

Two sloppy concessions saw Kyrgios fall 30-0 behind on his own serve, but it was a needed kick up the you know what as the Australian swiftly levelled up at 30-30. Murray seemingly falls 40-30 behind, but a correct call, coupled with another poor error from Kyrgios, sees Murray lead 40-30. A fantastic drop shot from Kyrgios take us to deuce en route to saving the set. He's got away with one there.

Murray holds serve, but he needed a bit of help from Kyrgios, who shouted "what am I doing!" quite loudly after falling 40-30 behind, and the Scot saved his service game. Big pressure on Kyrgios, who will bid to save the first set now! It's difficult to tell whether he'll do it or not. He's been both brilliant and erratic at times - perhaps more of the latter.

BREAK AND SET! First blood Murray! He wins the first point, before a man in the crowd catches the ball, to illustrate the level of bounce on Kyrgios's smash as he levelled. Kyrgios saves the first of two set points there, casually walking - and I do mean walking - to reach a dropping ball before smashing home the winner. He's ridiculously nonchalant, but Murray then wins the next point for the opening set.

Seriously, if you want to see a picture of Nick Kyrgios then look up the word 'nonchalant' in the dictionary. He wowed the crowd by walking to hit overhead, and now he's slumped back in his chair ASLEEP! Well, not really, but his eyes are closed. It's very hard to dislike this fella - even if his gamesmanship has been condemned at times.

First blood Murray, who cruises 40-15 ahead before serving an ace to hold his serve. There was more madness from Kyrgios, whose half volley is under-hit AGAIN and Murray capitalises. As entertaining as he is, and he is, you wonder if he might be better off dropping that drop shot from his arsenal because it's failed him more often than not this morning.

Excellent response by the Australian, who drops the bravado and exhibition shots for one game and he blitzes Murray to level up the second set. Incidentally, he has beaten his Scottish counterpart - and never even took a set off him!

More entertaining moments from Kyrgios, whose racket flies out of his hands following a fierce return. Thankfully it didn't hit anybody, but Murray, who was laughing, gathered his composure to win the third game with a drop shot of his own. Kyrgios got a taste of his own medicine there.

Probably the best game of the match here, culminating in a thrilling rally which Murray won to move A-40, but Kyrgios digs deep and pulls out a few aces to level up the game. A break of serve will settle this second set.

Three break serves. That's what Kyrgios had, but all of them go to waste as Murray survives a scare to hold serve a crucial time. He could, and definitely should, have broken in the first of those break points, but Kyrgios, who had the entire court to aim at, somehow fired out of play. Sitting there, it's certain that he's thinking of that error.

Remember we said Kyrgios WALKED up to an overhead? Here's proof. Brilliant.


BREAK! Big, big moment in this match as Murray breaks the Kyrgios serve to move 4-2 ahead. He has two break points, but he only needs one as Kyrgios's return is majorly overhit. Murray serving to go ONE game away from a two-set lead.

Murray just about holds his serve in an epic seventh game of the second set but what was Kyrgios thinking about? He tried another Federer hot-dog shot when it was easy to just volley home, and he conceded the point to surrender his break point. Minutes later, he tried another of those dramatic volleys and he hit the net. You get the feeling that he was getting bored, and as we mentioned, a major question mark hangs over his temperament.

Kyrgios throws himself a lifeline in this second set but Murray is now serving to move into a two-set lead. Stay tuned.

SET! You get the feeling Kyrgios's head is gone. Murray wins the ninth game to win the second set without much resistance from the Australian and it'll take a huge upset to come back from this. He has the shape of Patrick Vieira, the face of Nani, the attitude of Mario Balotelli and the composure of Dimitar Berbatov or Dennis Bergkamp. And the haircut of a blind man, but other than that, he's got some brilliant traits for sport in general. However, you wonder if he has the mental strength and passion to utilise all of his fantastic qualities.

Murray's starting to show his class now, and the casual Kyrgios is looking less and less interested with every point. Can he produce something special from here on in, or will it be all too easy for the Brit?

Murray came close to an early break, after a brilliant run to produce a superb shot from the baseline to go 30-15 ahead, but the Australian recovered in style to prevent it. Kyrgios looks almost asleep as he waits for the next game, is he having us on?!

BREAK! I think he is you know! The Australian goes 40-30 ahead after a 26 shot rally, before Murray levels up with an impressive ace. Kyrgios kept the pressure on with a forearm shot across court, but after he hit the net on his second break point he smashed his racket to the ground. Kyrgios then found himself with two more break point opportunities before finally wrapping the game up as Murray hit the net.

BREAK! The erratic Kyrgios has returned - Murray producing some classy baseline shots to breeze past the Australian and reclaim his break. Murray knows he's in a tough match here, and that point could be crucial.

Is there a more frustrating player than Nick Kyrgios? After an impressive break, Murray has found the last two games to be all too easy. Kyrgios has not taken a point in the last two games and doesn't even look that bothered.

Better from the Australian, who played some impressive strokes beyond the reach of Murray before wrapping up the game as the Scotsman produced an error. Kyrgios is well in this match, but he needs to be more consistent.

More Kyrgios frustration! The Australian scrambles across the baseline to take the first point, before his next effort was out by some distance. Murray held his nerve and took the game, and his opponent is beginning to look a little more irritated with his inconsistency.

Kyrgios keeps up the pressure on Murray with some simple groundstrokes that landed beyond the reach of the Scotsman. Kyrgios is playing a fast-paced game that is difficult for Murray to read, and in this set it appears to be coming together - can he keep his composure?

Not right now, as Kyrgios comes up with a string of errors to gift the game to Murray. The set is still very much in the balance though.

Kyrgios produced some ferocious forehand drives to take the game, as Murray couldn't match the sheer power of the Australian without the serve. Kyrgios is starting to find some rhythm now, can he break the Brit and take a set?

BREAK SET! Yes he can! The Australian produced some sensational forehand shots from the baseline and Murray can do little about them. You just sense that some momentum is shifting towards Kyrgios, who has breezed the last two games. It's game on now at Flushing Meadows!

Fair play to Nick Kyrgios, that was his best set by a country mile. Murray struggled to keep up with the sheer athleticism of the Australian who deservedly took the third set 6-4. Now Murray has a game on his hands. So far, the inconsistencies of his opponent played into the hand of the calculated Murray, but if Kyrgios can keep his composure and rhythm then there could be a shock on the cards.

BREAK! Murray has come back with a flourish here, not giving Kyrgios a sniff of a chance in the first game of the fourth set. The Brit produced some intelligent groundstrokes to overcome the Australian - and the good work of the previous set by Kyrgios could be in danger of being undone here.

Murray is rediscovering his flow now - producing a neat volley to go 30-15 ahead before holding his composure to take the second game. Kyrgios' gameplan - simplicity in itself - is being undone here by Murray, he needs to find his rhythm from the last set soon.

Better from Kyrgios, as Murray produces a couple of errors to allow the Australian a way back into the set. The forehand from Kyrgios has been hit and miss all night, but his single-minded approach came to fruition there. Can he keep it up?

Smart tennis from Murray, who at 40-30 scampers across the baseline to hit a backhand return, before Kyrgios smashes the ball out. The Brit looks like he's heading towards victory now, as the Australian looks to have lost his focus yet again.

BREAK! Big moment for Andy Murray! Kyrgios' head has gone, as the British number one breaks his opponent again. Murray has a big advantage in this match now, can he hold his nerve?

Here we go folks! Andy Murray is on the brink of a first round victory at the US Open. Kyrgios just hasn't got going in in this fourth set, and the Brit is one break away from progressing to the next round.

GAME SET MATCH! Impressive stuff from Andy Murray, who wraps up the match with a smart return. Nick Kyrgios showed flashes of brilliance at times, and took the third set convincingly, but the Australian could not keep his focus in the final set. Murray passes his first Flushing Meadows test of 2015 with flying colours.

"It was tough, I had to do a lot of defending tonight and a lot of running in very tough conditions," Murray tells the crowd after his victory. The Brit knows he's been in a game here, but he looked impressive and kept his composure to get through. Match report to come...

As promised, here is said match report. Find out how the British number one made it through to the second round here.

Well, it was far from easy at times against an unpredictable and rather enigmatic Nick Kyrgios, but Andy Murray made it through. That one had banana skin written all over it when the draw was made, but the Scot emerges unscathed and the way in which he won the fourth set should tell us that he's only warming up at Flushing Meadows.

Who does he face in the second round then? None other than Adrian Mannarino - a 27-year-old Frenchman who is ranked 35th in the world. That's two places above the Aussie Kyrgios!

Want Andy Murray's post-match comments before we head off? Why not. Click here to read what the Scot had to say about Kyrgios.

That about does us for the night/morning. But fear not because we're back tomorrow for day three of the competition, in which plenty more big names bid to advance. I'm sure we'll see you then!

ID:243276: cacheID:243276:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:83568:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts after scoring a point on Gilles Muller of Luxembourg during day four of the Rogers Cup at Uniprix Stadium on August 13, 2015
Read Next:
Andy Murray seeded third for US Open
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!