US Open: Andy Murray batters Granollers to make third round in New York

Updated 01/09/2016 at 20:49 GMT

World number two Andy Murray was in great form as he beat Spain's Marcel Granollers in his second round match at the US Open.

Andy Murray celebrates

Image credit: AFP

Murray played some beautiful tennis against a game opponent to win 6-4 6-1 6-4, with some of the rallies breathtaking.

The Scot had the honour of being part of the only match in action for most of his encounter: with heavy rain falling in New York, the entire clash was played beneath the roof on Arthur Ashe.

At times, the players could barely hear the ball off their strings and the rain hammering on the roof was almost deafening but second seed Murray kept calm to clinch a convincing victory.

Tennis

Murray steps up rehab with return to court in Wimbledon fitness race

16 hours ago

"At first we didn't know if there was just more people come in at the change of ends, but then we quickly realised it was the rain," Murray said.

Highlights: Murray beats Granollers to march into third round of US Open

"It was so loud - I've never played like that before, I couldn't hear the ball. And tennis players do listen for the ball coming off the strings, to read the spin early," added Murray of the deafening noise of rain pummelling the glass roof.

"It's something you have to adjust to... But we're lucky to play under the roof; otherwise there wouldn't be any tennis so it's good for everyone.

Murray absolutely defies laws of time and motion to win point off Granollers

Murray got off to a brilliant start, breaking his opponent immediately and then breaking him again to lead 5-2 in the opening set.

The Spaniard actually broke back, however, showing plenty of guts and taking advantage of some distinctly average serving from the 2012 US Open champion.

Murray regrouped to finish up the set and blitzed his opponent in the second set, seemingly on course to waltz through.

Granollers outwits Murray with passing shot on the run

Yet Granollers, the world number 45, made it difficult for Murray in the final set, the break only coming at 4-4 as the second seed earned a chance to serve for the match.

Murray made no mistake, quickly earning three match points and then converting the second of them.

Top 5 Points: Murray's moments of magic against Granollers

Next up for the Scot could be Gilles Simon, the French world number 31 who almost beat Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open - and Murray will probably have to up his game to get through it as easily as he did on Thursday.

Murray enforces first-set dominance with sumptuous lob

Tennis

Murray will not have surgery on ankle injury, return date unknown

15/04/2024 at 20:14

Tennis

‘Unbelievable fighter’ Murray can ‘go out on top’ at Olympics - Wilander

05/04/2024 at 13:00

ATP Monte Carlo

When is the Monte Carlo Masters? Are Djokovic and Nadal playing?

03/04/2024 at 09:07

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me