Andy Murray revels in 'amazing' straight-sets win over Corentin Moutet at the US Open to reach round two in New York

ByRob Hemingway

Updated 30/08/2023 at 00:38 GMT

He may have come into the final major of the year at Flushing Meadows under a fitness cloud, but Andy Murray dispelled some of those doubts with a fluid straight-sets win over Frenchman Corentin Moutet. Murray triumphed 6-2 7-5 6-3 with his serve and forehand holding up under considerable pressure from the mobile Moutet, who struggled with a hand injury. Jack Draper also progressed in New York.

Andy Murray turned back the clock with a vintage performance to beat Corentin Moutet in straight sets, 6-2 7-5 6-3, at the US Open in New York.

After a curtailed run-in to the final Grand Slam of the year due to an abdominal problem, Murray's condition was in some doubt heading into his first-round match on Grandstand Court.

But the Brit got into his stride in the first set, battled hard to steal the second, and then stayed solid when it mattered in the third to seal victory.

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"It was amazing,” a relieved Murray said after the match. “A brilliant atmosphere against one of the most skilful players on Tour.

“He has so many ways to disrupt you, he is an exceptional player and he moves extremely well and always causes a bit of chaos.

“I hope it was entertaining for everyone. There were some fun points in there. I am happy to get through in straight sets because the second set was very tight."

Throughout his 200th Grand Slam win, Murray had to deal with Moutet's flamboyant shotmaking as the Frenchman looked to trouble the Scot early on.

But Murray played from deep to combat Moutet’s shots which continued throughout the two-hour, 58-minute battle as the 26-year-old saved two set points in the second set.

He came from 3-5 behind to clinch the second set and gain control of Moutet and the tie, before earning a decisive break in the eighth game of the third set to serve for the match.

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Murray held serve and secured the win with his fourth match point to set up a second-round tie with Grigor Dimitrov, who beat Alex Molcan in a fifth-set tiebreak.

Andy Murray of Great Britain returns a shot against Corentin Moutet of France during their Men's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood o

Image credit: Getty Images

"The preparation was slightly tricky because I had to pull out of the tournament mid-way through in Canada and miss Cincinnati," Murray added, referring to a strain he suffered in Toronto.

"I had to slowly build my serving up but I was quite happy with how I served today, the ab felt good."

Elsewhere, there was more British success as Jack Draper saw off Radu Albot in straight sets, 6-1 6-4 6-3.

Draper, 21, has also been battling injury issues during the American hard-court summer, but came through against the experienced Moldovan.

Next for Draper is a tie with either Marc-Andrea Huesler or 17th seed Hubert Hurkacz.

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