Murray edges through

2:38am Friday 29th August 2008

British number one Andy Murray booked a place in the US Open third round in New York tonight when he overcame Michael Llodra of France in four sets.

Murray overcame Llodra 6-4 1-6 7-5 7-6 (9/7) in a tense and exciting match at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre.

Murray now faces world number 48 Jurgen Melzer of Austria, who trounced Jiri Vanek of the Czech Republic 6-0 6-2 6-2 in the first match of the day on court 10.

The world number six and three-time winner on the ATP Tour this year, took the first set thanks to an early break against the left-handed world number 38 in the third game.

But in the second the Frenchman moved into a 2-0 lead and there was no way back in that set for Murray as Llodra turned on the style, powering through 6-1 in 25 minutes to level the match.

At 6-5 down in the third, Llodra was serving to take the set to a tie-breaker but his game suddenly deserted him and loose shots gave Murray three set points. Murray forced another error at the first opportunity and clenched his fists in celebration as a Llodra shot went long and he took the set 7-5.

The fourth went to a tie break and Murray quickly earned a mini-break to go 2-0 up but Llodra levelled at 2-2. Frustration saw Murray throw his racquet into the ground but he took a 5-3 lead with a brilliant backhand crosscourt winner.

But he then double faulted and Llodra again levelled. He was then serving to save the set at 5-6 down but on his second serve he pounced on a poor Llodra return with a forehand winner.

Again Murray put himself back into trouble, handing Llodra a second set point at 7-6 before the world number 38 ceded the initiative once more with a risky volley.

Murray grabbed the opportunity, putting away a weak backhand to win before grabbing a ball from his pocket and smashing it skyward in celebration.

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