Murray grinds out win to keep Flushing Meadows dream alive
ANDY Murray booked his place in the third round of the US Open in New York tonight, but he was made to work hard for the victory during a thrilling five set contest against Robin Haase.
His Dutch opponent looked to be on the brink of a massive upset as he clinched a tight first set tiebreak and then raced to the second set, but Murray clawed his way back into the match and eventually prevailed 6-7 (5-7) 2-6 6-2 6-0 6-4.
Murray’s US Open credentials will come under scrutiny after he came so close to exiting the tournament at this early stage, especially given the ease with which rivals Djokovic, Nadal and Federer progressed, but he again proved his mental strength after securing a win from two sets to love down for the sixth time in his career.
Haase, ranked 41st in the world, took an early lead in the match but was then broken as he served for the opening set. Murray, however, failed to capitalise on the shift in momentum and let a 4-1 lead in the tiebreak slip with a number of uncharacteristic errors as Haase clinched it 7-5.
Murray’s backhand was causing him problems and an early break in the second set for the Dutchman did nothing to settle Scottish nerves. Haase was growing in confidence as Murray’s frustration mounted and an error-strewn service game from the Scot at 5-2 down saw him concede the second set.
The third set started in better fashion for Murray, and he let out a huge roar as he battled back from 40-0 down to grind out the first break of the set. It turned out to be a big turning point as Haase’s level plummeted and he received treatment for a back injury as Murray claimed the third 6-2.
The Dutchman looked uncomfortable and frustrated as Murray secured another early break in the fourth and his mind wandered as the Scot raced easily to the fourth set 6-0 to take the match into a decider.
Murray built a commanding 4-0 lead in the fifth, on the back of 13 games in a row, and looked to be cruising to victory before Haase incredibly fought his way back into it. With nothing to lose the Dutchman went for broke with some big shots and was able to recapture some of his early match form, levelling the fifth set at 4-4.
The allegiances of the crowd were swaying back and forth and Murray had a few choice words for some spectators cheering against him as he crucially broke back to serve for the match at 5-4. Haase then saved two match points, including one with a challenge that landed millimetres inside the line, and carved out a break point of his own before Murray eventually clinched the match when a Haase forehand drifted long.
It was relief as much as celebration for Murray in the immediate aftermath of this amazing contest, one that looked like a lost cause at two sets down, a certainty at two sets all and eventually turned out to be one of the most topsy-turvy matches you’re ever likely to see.
Feliciano Lopez now awaits Murray in round three on Sunday. The Spaniard was swept aside by Murray in straight sets at Wimbledon in June and has never beaten the Scot in five outings. After this evening’s twitchy drama, a more comfortable Sunday would be very welcome.
