Andy Murray

Jamie Murray and Liezel Huber came through comfortably in their second round mixed doubles match beating Czech duo Kveta Peschke and Pavel Vizner 7-5 6-3 in 1 hour and 19 minutes.

The American and Brit Duo took control from the off and quickly established a 4-1 lead, they looked like they were going to a double break when the secured another break point, but instead their Czech opponents saved the point and broke back back to level the match up at 5-5.

Murray and Huber finished the set strongly with a flourish and a run of 4 games soon saw them secure the first set and go up 2-0 in the second with a break of serve.

It was a lead that they would not give up and they served out for victory and thier place in the quarter finals where they will play either Virginie Razzano and Rogier Wassen or the second seeds Katarina Srebotnik and Nenad Zimonjic.

Murray and Huber have proved a successful partnership and reached the semi-finals in New York 12 months ago and the semi finals of Wimbledon last month.

Andy Murray proved once again that he is indeed one of the fittest and toughest opponents to beat as he once again came from two sets down to win a dramatic US open third round match against Austrian Jurgen Melzer 6-7(5-7) 4-6 7-6(7-5) 6-1 6-3.

But how this match made it to 5 sets I will never know, Murray was much the better player in both the first and second sets and just could not finish off his numerous chances and when it came down to the big points in those two sets it was Melzer who raised his game and produced the tennis of his life.

He took the first set to a tie break after saving a set point at 6-5, before the breaker Melzer had made no impression on the Murray serve and these things go, Murray serve broke down in the tie break and Melzer found his return game.

The second followed much same pattern of the first, with Murray pushing Melzer all the way on the Austrian’s service only to squander break point after break point - these points were not lost by Murray, but won by Melzer, the Austrian showing us some terrific shots, in particular his two handed backhand drop shot, that Murray was finding difficult to read and when he did make it to the ball chose the wrong the shot and Melzer was there for the easy follow up. Those misses would prove costly and Melzer took advantage breaking Murray in the 10th game of the set to take the set and a commanding lead.

Murray had not played badly and at this stage would have still been favourite in many people’s books to still go on and actually win the match - and go on win the match he did - though not without further drama.

Murray secured his first break of serve mid way through the third set only to be pegged back when he was serving for the set at 5-4. It would take another tiebreak to decide the third set.

Murray was quick on the assault and secured mini break only to lose them straight back to Melzer. Murray found himself 4-5 down and Melzer was just two points away from the match. In many of these types of matches we look for turning points and this next two points definitely was it. With Murray serving he really needed to win his next two service points, which so far in the tie break he had not managed to do. He won the first point with a big service winner and the with next point fired down a 138mph ace that equalled his fastest ever serve.

That ace served as a huge blow for Melzer and seem to just knock the wind out him, Murray converted the next point on the Melzer serve after he managed to read Melzer’s drop shot and put the return away for a clean winner.

The fourth set was a contest only for the first two games, after Murray secured a break of serve in the second game, Melzer gave up, conserving his energy for fifth. As the match progressed it was becoming more and more obvious that Melzer was struggling for fitness and needed the trainer on court to tend some cramp in his legs.

The massage from the trainer seemed to help Melzer and the Austrian was still up for the scrap at the start of second. Murray still looked dangerous on the Melzer’s serve and brought up deuce on the third game, but Melzer would hold out to lead 2-1.

After the huge comeback from Murray, there was always the chance he could come off the pace in the third and that’s what happened in the third game. After two outstanding drop shots from Melzer, the Austrian found himself 15-40 with two break points and was a whisker away from converting the first, after blistering return of serve, Murray struggled just to return the ball and with what seemed an easy backhand approach, Melzer dumped the ball in the net. That was Melzer’s chance, another huge serve Murray save the other and then another ace secures the game.

They both traded two more service games before Murray secured the vital break in the crucial seventh game with a mix of aggression and simple keep the ball in play, keep the ball long and wait for your chance.

That was indeed the match over - Melzer saved two match points on his own serve before Murray secured the match on the third.

It was another breathtaking win, not quite on par with Gasquet at Wimbledon, but close to it, after the match Murray said

He was playing awesome, hitting the ball so hard and flat, It was so tough for me to get a rhythm, but I felt after the third set, the momentum was with me. My fitness is something I’ve worked so hard on. I’ve got a great team with me and I’m really enjoying working with them. Ideally, you’d rather not play matches of that length, but sometimes it happens. You’ve got to get through it.

This will be Murray’s second time in the 4th round of the US open and will play Stanislas Wawrinka who himself had to fight back from two sets down against lucky loser (lost in qualifying but made it through due to someone dropping out the main draw) Flavio Cipolla. Though how Wawrinka nearly lost this match his a mystery, from the action I seen of the match Cipolla had nothing to offer and it was only unforced errors from Wawrinka that got the little Italian any points.

On the downside for Murray, his odds of winning the US open perhaps have been dented, after expending so much energy early on in the tournament. He and Ross Hutchins lost an epic doubles match against the number 1 doubles team in the world on a third set tiebreak. Murray has now played 18 sets of tennis compared with 9 sets played by Rafael Nadal.

I don’t think this will hamper Murray but the bookmakers don’t share my view, his odds have increased from before he started the event and they had even dipped after his first two wins. So if you think Murray is still going to win, now may be your best time to place your bet. betfair are still the highest odds you will find and will give you a free £25 to wager when you sign up.

Murray came through a tough four setter against Michael Llodra defeating the Frenchman 6-4, 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(7) to reach the US Open third round for the third time in four attempts.

The man from Dunblane produced some impressive stats against the resistant Llodra, firing 48 winners to just 13 unforced errors. But the stats do not always tell the story, as error-free as his play was the Scot played the match at a very average level and it was his ability top raise his game on vital points that allowed him to pick up the win. He did drop serve on four occasions and was forced to save two set points in the fourth set tie break before securing victory after 2 hours and 33 minutes.

I was very happy with the match, I thought I hit the ball from the back of the court very well. I didn’t feel like I was making many mistakes from the baseline. Not too many unforced errors. He’s a really tough guy to play against, and I was happy I won in four sets.

Andy Murray is making his fourth straight appearance at the US Open and enjoyed his best performance in 2006 when he reached the fourth round losing to the sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko 1-6 7-5 3-6 0-6.

Murray now himself the sixth seed will be looking to once again reach the fourth round on Saturday when he meets Austrian Jurgen Melzer who thrashed Jiri Vanek 6-0, 6-2, 6-2. Meltzer is ranked 48 in the world and Murray won their only other meeting in earlier this year. On Meltzer, Murray said,

He’s a tough guy to play against, He doesn’t give you too much rhythm. But I feel like I’m playing well just now. I’m confident and I look forward to the match.

Andy Murray secured a comfortable win in his opening match at the 2008 US Open against Argentina’s Sergio Roitman - the 21 year old Scot secured a 6-3 6-4 6-0 victory to claim his place in the second round at Flushing Meadows.

Andy Murray comes into the US Open, having suffered probably his worst defeat of the year in the first round of the Olympics two weeks ago, any signs that he was suffering any hang ups form this were quickly squashed with Murray breaking the world number 107 Roitman in the Argentines opening service game and was rarely threatened in a match he controlled right from the off.

I’m feeling really confident just now regardless of what happened in Beijing, I feel I’m hitting the ball well. I feel mentally strong and physically I’m not tired so I want to do well here and this was a good start. I thought it was pretty decent, I didn’t lose my serve the whole match. I thought he played pretty well for about a set-and-a-half. He was hitting his forehand really hard and making me do a bit of running. It was a decent test and I came through it pretty well.

Murray will face much sterner tests in his matches to come, he was always expected to beat Roitman comfortably, who has lost all nine of his previous Grand Slam matches. Two ares of Murray’s game that could do with sharpening up was his first serve % and his second serve - These two areas have been Murray’s weakness all season and will need to improve both these areas against better players. Murray’s first serve % today was only 50% and the second serve was far too short, something that the likes of Rafael Nadal will eat up.

Murray has cemented his “fourth favorite” position behind the big 3 Nadal, Federer and Djokovic - Nadal struggled through his opening match, 3 set encounter took nearly 3 hours and the Spaniard needed on court treatment for some blisters. Roger Federer will kick of his defence of his title tomorrow and Djokovic will play on Wednesday. 

Murray should next be on court on Thursday and will face Michael Llodra in round two after the Frenchman beat Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4). Llodra and his French compatriot Arnaud Clement to beat the Murray’s in the Olympics doubles two weeks ago. A good chance for some swift revenge.

Andy Murray will again come under the spotlight by the British press and the question will be asked, Can Andy Murray win a grand slam. Without doubt this will be Murray’s best chance of winning a major so far in his short career.

The hard courts of Flushing Meadow is Murray’s favourite surface of the 4 grand slams and he himself has always said that the US open is his most likely place for success. Couple that with Murray’s recent form over the last two months (ignoring the Olympics that is) which seen Murray win his first Master event, semi final in the another and quarter finals of Wimbledon. only losing to Rafael Nadal in both those events and recording two convincing wins over Novak Djokovic.

Before the Olympics Murray’s chance of winning seemed high and if we were to look solely at current form at that point, Murray would have been second favourite behind Nadal. His first round exit at Olympics may have added some doubt in the minds of bookmakers of Murray’s ability to win the US Open. However 2 weeks rest for Murray could prove to be a major advantage to Murray.

The Bookmakers make Murray the fourth favourite behind the big three,  with betfair giving the best odds for a Murray win and are still offering a free £25 bet.

We have also gathered together a full list of the US Open winners odds for all players.

Some bookmakers are offering odds on how far Andy Murray will make it in this year’s US Open, with Murray’s reasonably comfortable route to the semi finals, it’s unsurprising that a semi final knock out is the  favourite result with bookmakers - there are only a couple of bookmakers offering this bet and the best odds can be found between Paddy Power and Ladbrokes.

Off all the players in the draw Murray’s success seems to lie in the hands of Rafael Nadal, if the Scot is to break his run of 5 losses to the Spaniard it will need to be done in the semi finals should the Spaniard negotiate his quarter, which looks equally as comfortable as Murray’s. Though this long hard season for Nadal is surely going to catch up with him soon and an early round exit is not that unlikely should Nadal not be at the top of his game after yet another gruelling tournament win at the Olympics. Should that happen look for Murray’s odds to plummet.