US Open: World No 4 Andy Murray relieved just to come through first test

The Scot eased through 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 but was not at his very best, and ended the match with cramp. Indeed, he looked relieved rather than pleased as he walked to the net to shake hands after hitting the winning point and admitted afterwards that he had found the match physically challenging.

“I was struggling a little bit, there were a lot of long games, long points, we both did a lot of running,” explained Murray. “I sweated a lot and it was just a little bit of cramp. I need to make sure I stay better hydrated.”

While pleased to make it through to the second round on the opening day of the New York grand slam event, the Scottish world No 4 was far from happy with some aspects of his game.“I did okay,” he told Sky Sports in a televised interview just off the court.

“I was struggling on serve, but managed to come through. That’s the most important thing.”

The match had been delayed after a storm earlier in the day, and he added: “The conditions were tricky. It was very windy.

“It’s slower out there. It’s about getting used to that court when it’s breezy and you’ve to do a lot of running and defending. I struggled with that but did well when I needed to.”