Tumaini Carayol's report from Flushing Meadows
Still waiting for some Andy Murray reaction as the dust settles on his fourth-round exit. We’ll have quotes soon along with a match report. And also keep an eye out for the inside word from Jack Draper. It looked like a hamstring/groin problem that caused his retirement but we’ll see what he has to say in due course.
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A disappointing night for the British men with Andy Murray losing in four sets to Berrettini and Jack Draper retiring with injury when looking in charge against Khachanov.
On the plus side, Cam Norrie and Dan Evans are yet to play – both are in action tomorrow - so still a chance for British representation in the last 16.
Meanwhile, Berrettini has been giving his reaction to that four-set victory over Murray.
You learn from the past a little bit. I wasn’t aggressive enough on the break points but that’s tennis. Murray played a really good set to not get broken but I was feeling better. I had more chances. I thought the same thing in the fourth set. I had my chance and I took them.
What I tell myself all the time is it is normal to get tight. That’s what I told myself when I played Gael [Monfils] a few years ago. I double faulted on match point. It’s normal. We hear about this. That’s life. I told myself next time I will try to be more brave and that’s what I tried to do in the fourth set.
Draper retires injured against Khachanov
Khanchanov wins 6-3, 4-6, 6-5 (ret)
What a shame for the 20-year-old Brit as he decides he can’t continue. It looks the smart play as he’d clearly lost full mobility and risked further injury. Had that been the final set there could have been an argument for staying on and hoping to thrash a few winners but there was too much of the match to go. Still, it’s been a tournament to remember and we can expect to see a lot more of him.
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Draper 3-6, 6-4, 5-6 Khachanov* (* denotes server)
For the second service game running, Draper gives Khachanov the break with a double fault. He runs his hands through his hair and it’s almost impossible now to see him turning this one around.
Draper 3-6, 6-4, 5-5 Khachanov* (* denotes server)
Draper puffs his cheeks out as another attempted thrash at a winner goes wide. From 5-2 up it’s 5-5 now and Khachanov is growing in strength as his opponent limps between points.
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*Draper 3-6, 6-4, 5-4 Khachanov (* denotes server)
Draper has clearly lost some movement and drops his serve to 15. There is speculation now in the commentary box about whether it’s wise to continue. He doesn’t want to risk long-term injury. “Your health is your wealth,” warns Rusedski.
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Draper 3-6, 6-4, 5-3 Khachanov* (* denotes server)
As is so often the case when facing a semi-injured opponent, Khachanov seems a little spooked. Part of his brain is telling him to cash in on the physical advantage he may now hold but another part of it says he doesn’t need to as his opponent is crocked and could surrender. As the internal battle continues, Khachanov holds but Draper will now be serving for the set.
*Draper 3-6, 6-4, 5-2 Khachanov (* denotes server)
Draper’s well-being is hard to call. Something isn’t quite right and he’s clearly trying to get points over quickly rather than getting embroiled in long rallies. He faces two break points but, despite the discomfort, hits his way out of trouble to win the game and go 5-2 up. Perhaps the painkillers will kick in soon and he’ll start to move a little easier.
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Berrettini celebrates his win over Andy Murray.
That triumphant feeling for @MattBerrettini! 😤 pic.twitter.com/OByfy86Dm5
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2022
Draper 3-6, 6-4, 4-2 Khachanov* (* denotes server)
Good news. Jack’s back and wins the first two points on the Khachanov serve.
Bad news: He loses the next two and seems to be walking a little gingerly, pulling up after a forehand and shaking his head a little. Hopefully it was a response to the stroke rather than the injury.
Great news: Draper forces break point and takes it with a brilliant forehand passing stroke to go 4-2 in front.
More reaction from Andy Murray later but now let’s switch our attention to Jack Draper. Oh, as I turn over, the young Brit is having treatment for his “lower back/groin area” according to Greg Rusedski. It’s clearly an issue and Draper leaves the court for more checks. “Hopefully the physio can do his magic,” adds Rusedski so perhaps this isn’t too big a problem.
Draper will be desperate to continue after putting himself in a strong position. Khachanov took the opening set but Draper won the second 6-4 and was 3-2 up in the third before the medical timeout.
Murray loses in four sets to Berrettini
Berrettini wins 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (1), 6-3
Murray wins the first point but his opponent is just too strong and serves out the game to claim victory in four sets. Murray’s challenge is over. He fought hard and put Berrettini under pressure but this was just a step too far against an opponent who has been a force in the grand slams over the past few seasons.
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*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 3-5 Berrettini (* denotes server)
Game eight of the third set begins with Murray questioning his own sanity again and delivering an F-bomb after an attempted drop shot hits the net. He wins the next but Berrettini has him on the ropes again by forcing two more break points. This time the Italian won’t be denied and a break to 15 leaves Berrettini serving for the match. Does Murray have anything left?
Over on Grandstand, Jack Draper is having a blast now and surges into a 3-0 lead in the third set after breaking Khachanov, the 27th seed, in the second game.
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 3-4 Berrettini* (* denotes server)
The pressure now switches to Berrettini at 30-30 but clubbing an 18th ace relieves it temporarily. Murray ramps it up by forcing a break point and Berrettini’s face looks strained as he contemplates the worst. But Murray lets the opportunity slip away, Berrettini digging deep and emerging 4-3 in front.
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 3-3 Berrettini (* denotes server)
It remains on a knife edge for Murray and you feel one poor service game could prove fatal. We reach 30-all again on the Murray serve and the next point is huge. Thankfully for the 2012 winner, he taps a volley over the net for game point and Berrettini is forced into a backhand error to make it 3-3. Murray’s fitness is holding up well and dare I say his movement even looked sprightly as he moved to receive the next Berrettini serve. And to think he has a metal hip.
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 2-3 Berrettini* (* denotes server)
Berrettini’s flashed forehand goes long to give Murray the first point but it’s his only gain of the game as his opponent wins the next four for a fairly comfortable hold. Murray, as instructed by Ivan Lendl on the sidelines, is trying to move Berrettini around but it’s not quite coming off as yet.
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 2-2 Berrettini (* denotes server)
Murray could do with a pressure-free service game and looks on course for it as he opens up his body and drills a forehand winner for 40-0. Two points later and the game is his. Game time in this one: 3 hours 23 mins.
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Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 1-2 Berrettini* (* denotes server)
Murray threatens to extend the early exchange of breaks when getting to 40-30 but Berrettini heads him off at the pass with a deft touch at the net to go 2-1 up in the fourth. A quick stat check: Berrettini has hurled down 16 aces to Murray’s four and has 50 winners to the Scot’s 22.
Draper levels at one set all against Khachanov after winning the second 6-4
Draper was 2-1 down early in the second but the 20-year-old Brit has really found his mojo here and breaks his opponent twice to take the second set 6-4 and tie the match after 90 minutes of action on Grandstand.
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*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 1-1 Berrettini (* denotes server)
Wouldn’t you know it, after all that hard work to break Berrettini, Murray then loses his own opening service game to love. That came out of nowhere. Berrettini looks vulnerable when put under scoreboard pressure but Murray let him of the hook completely there.
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 1-0 Berrettini* (* denotes server)
Four times in his career Murray has come from two sets down to win a match at the US Open. Can he do so again, aged 35? He needs to start putting some pressure on the Berrettini serve and does so here, a slingshot forehand securing two break points. He’s had just two in the match and takes the third as Berrettini dumps his backhand into the net. A break and, for now, the momentum is with Murray.
The temperature has dropped which aids Murray’s cause. As does the fact that he now seems to have the majority of the crowd pulling for him after that gutsy display in the third set. The players are currently taking a refreshment break ahead of the fourth set.
Let’s head back to Jack Draper’s bid to make the fourth round and he’s currently 4-3 up in the second set against Karen Khachanov having lost the first. As I write this, it goes 4-4.
Murray wins the third set tie-break 7-1 to stay alive
Well, where did that come from?! Murray lost the first point of the tie-break on his own serve but then reeled off the next seven to win the third set 7-6 (1). Don’t rule him out just yet! Berrettini saw eight points go begging in that set and he definitely tightened up at key moments. But does Murray have the energy to win this in five?
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Tie-break: Murray 5-1 Berrettini*
Finally a hold as Murray edges 3-1 up and that becomes 4-1 as Berrettini can’t quite reach the Scot’s backhand volley. And Murray now seems inspired. He’s hitting the shots and forcing his opponent into mistakes, a fifth straight point taking him 5-1 ahead at the first change.
Tie-break: *Murray 2-1 Berrettini
Berrettini wins a thrilling first point with one of those hammer forehands to secure a mini break but Murray takes the next two points on Berrettini’s serve to hold the advantage.
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-6 Berrettini* (* denotes server)
Berrettini finally misses a first serve on his opening point but still emerges 15-0 in front and clubs another forehand winner for 30-0. Murray wins two of the next three points, charging the net and volleying to stay alive at 40-30 and forcing deuce after a sloppy Berrettini groundstroke. An ace puts the Italian back in the box seat and Murray’s misjudged low slice sends us into a third-set tie-break.
Better news for Draper as he wins back-to-back games to move 3-2 up on Khachanov.
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 6-5 Berrettini (* denotes server)
It’s almost a given now that Berrettini gets to 30 on the Murray serve and he does so again here with a forehand clump that is a winner all the way. A sliced backhand secures two break points and Murray has to try and escape from 15-40 for the third time in this set. Helped by his fastest serve of the match (126mph), Murray forces deuce but then shoots himself in the foot with a double fault to give Berrettini an eighth break point of the set. But, yet again, he can’t take it and Murray punishes him to somehow emerge 6-5 in front. That’s worth a throaty “C’mon!” and Andy doesn’t let us down.
Meanwhile, Draper has lost serve again and trails Khachanov 2-1 in the second.
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Murray 4-6, 4-6, 5-5 Berrettini* (* denotes server)
Berrettini is taking all the stress of his serve with powerful, consistent first serves (75% in the match so far). Murray is one of the great returners but the Italian has hardly given him a sniff, shipping just four points. That tally isn’t added to here as Berrettini holds to love.
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 5-4 Berrettini (* denotes server)
“It doesn’t need to be that good” is Murray’s repeated refrain now as he makes another error he didn’t need to make. Once more, he’s in uneasy territory at 30-30 before he slams a winner into the corner for game point. He takes it at the first opportunity and reaches five games in a set for the first time. Now can he break?
Draper loses the first set, 3-6, against Khachanov
That poor start proves costly. From 3-0 down, Draper got a foothold but it’s too late to stop his opponent taking the opener.
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 4-4 Berrettini* (* denotes server)
A whipped forehand pass from Murray along with a Berrettini error and it’s 15-30. Does the Scot sniff a break? But he berates himself after putting a routine backhand into the net and then sends a forehand wide. More chuntering. Another inaccurate forehand and the moment passes; a hold for Berrettini. Murray has been good but he needs better than good to beat this calibre of opponent.
Jack Draper is 5-2 down to Khachanov and first serve percentage in that one looks telling. Draper’s is way down at just 35% while his opponent’s is up at 78%.
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 4-3 Berrettini (* denotes server)
Berrettini wins the first point on the Murray serve with his 38th winner of the match, a rocket of a forehand which has him playing to the crowd. Murray responds with just his fourth ace and holds to 30 after Berrettini’s unforced error on the forehand. Murray status: hanging on in there.
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 3-3 Berrettini* (* denotes server)
In theory, Berrettini could be spooked by failing to cash in on his numerous break points but it’s not showing. He blasts two more aces (count now 13) to win game seven to 15 and it’s 3-3 in the third.
Draper holds to cut Khachanov’s advantage to 4-2.
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 3-2 Berrettini (* denotes server)
Murray looks to be taking some pace off his serve in this set although he starts game five with a double fault. An unforced error takes him into that worry zone of 0-30 and, despite achieving parity two points later, he drills a forehand long to slip to 30-40. Murray’s court craft is still a wonderful thing though and he dodges another bullet to edge 3-2 ahead.
On Grandstand, Jack Draper slips 4-1 down and it’s deuce on his own serve.
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Murray 4-6, 4-6, 2-2 Berrettini* (* denotes server)
For starters, Berrettini clumps two vicious forehands which Murray does well to get to although he can’t keep the second in. The Italian turns the screw with two more winners (the first at the net, the second a crosscourt forehand) and Murray can’t return the next serve. A hold to love.
Back on Grandstand and Draper is on the board, holding serve to cut Khachanov’s first-set lead to 3-1.
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*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 2-1 Berrettini (* denotes server)
The unfortunate break is tricky for both players and it’s extended with lots of folk in the crowd returning to their seats somewhat slowly after heading to the loo or to stock up on pizza/drinks. But perhaps Murray’s extra experience helps. He saves the second break point and holds as Berrettini’s forehand volley drops wide.
*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 1-1 Berrettini (* denotes server)
Very good news as the person in distress is up and about again and taken away in a wheelchair.
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*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 1-1 Berrettini (* denotes server)
Murray in trouble again as Berrettini wins two break points. A service winner saves the first but then there’s a break in play due to a medical incident in the crowd.
Out on Grandstand, Jack Draper has started his match against Karen Khachanov but it’s an inauspicious opening for the young Brit as his Moscow-born opponent moves into a 3-0 lead in the opener.
Murray 4-6, 4-6, 1-1 Berrettini* (* denotes server)
Berrettini breezes his way to 40-0 before a loose forehand keeps Murray in the game. It’s a very temporary stay of execution though.
A look at the stats and Berrettini has struck 26 winners to Murray’s nine. The Italian’s first serve is also far more potent. He’s got 75% of his first serves in compared to Murray’s 46%. Murray has made less unforced errors at least: 12 to Berrettini’s 21.
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*Murray 4-6, 4-6, 1-0 Berrettini (* denotes server)
Controlled aggression from the Italian is proving telling. The malfunctions in Murray’s play are mounting up – even when he gets his serve in, creaks in his forehand keep getting him into unnecessary trouble. Berrettini at 0-30 looks an ominous scoreline, but not as much as 15-40, that scoreline gifted by a wild flail almost to the fire exit from Murray.
With the break beckoning, Berrettini unexpectedly nets a regulation-looking forehand, and a timely surge to the net takes Murray to deuce. From there, helped by another ace, the Scot closes out a very, very welcome – not to mention quite unlikely – hold.
With that, Mr Tindall is refuelled and ready to man the tiller once more. Farewell!
Berrettini wins the second set – he leads Murray 6-4, 6-4
The 13th seed hears calls of “Bravo, bravo!” from his team after a beautiful pick-up off his feet following a savage swipe from Murray. Wry smiles from the former world No 1 as he sees the way the tide is going. Berrettini races to 40-0 up, three set points … he only needs two of them. This is now going to need one of his newspaper-deadline-troubling efforts if Murray is to reach the fourth round.
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*Murray 4-6, 4-5 Berrettini (* denotes server)
A grim first-serve percentage in this set is making Murray have to work so much harder. At 0-15, he’s sent hurtling in all directions by a savage forehand, followed by a deft drop shot. At 0-30 he nets a fairly regulation backhand … and that’s three break points for Berrettini. An ace, only Murray’s second of the match, reduces it to two – but then he repeats his error from the first set and double faults to gift his opponent the game, and now the opportunity to serve for the second set. The Scot is absolutely fuming with himself, and takes himself for a little walk.
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Murray 4-6, 4-4 *Berrettini (* denotes server)
Quizzical eyebrows from the Italian at the accuracy of the net-cord tech in the early swipes as he swears blind a booming serve cleared it. Murray takes him to 30-30, and then deuce to eye an opening … but Berrettini keeps his cool and serves out.
Elsewhere, I was assuming it would be a good time to check in and give an update from Kudermetova v Galfi – blimey, there’s actually a result. The Russian has absolutely blitzed through, hammering Hungary’s Galfi 6-2, 6-0 in just 46 minutes.
*Murray 4-6, 4-3 Berrettini (* denotes server)
With eyes firmly back on Arthur Ashe, the set has progressed but remains on serve after some straightforward holds. Both players, but particularly Murray, will be delighted to see the whole court is about to be equally well-lit as the shadows are finally retreating. The Scot scampers superbly to chase down an attempted drop shot from Berrettini, which brings up game point. That’s an impressively dominant hold from the 2012 champion.
Ons Jabeur beats Shelby Rogers 4-6, 6-4, 6-3!
Nope. Jabeur gets back up to break Rogers to love. The decider ended up a lot closer than it could have been thanks to some brave play from the American, but Jabeur’s power, mixed with some really smart defence from the baseline, ultimately told. She’ll next play the winner of Veronika Kudermetova v Dalma Galfi, and will be a massive favourite in that one.
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Jabeur 4-6, 6-4, 5-3 *Rogers (* denotes server)
Intrigue on Louis Armstrong as Rogers breaks Jabeur, who looked all over this one … but ends the game looking a lot like she’s had a bit of a throwing-up incident in a secluded spot on the court. Surely not an epic turnaround …?
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Murray 4-6, 2-2 *Berrettini (* denotes server)
Berrettini’s power is giving Murray some real problems as he blinks from the shade into the sunlit three-quarters of the court. The second set remains on serve.
*Murray 4-6, 2-1 Berrettini (* denotes server)
A regulation hold for Murray on Arthur Ashe … while on Louis Armstrong, Rogers fights superbly to fend off match points and keep Jabeur on the court.
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Murray 4-6, 1-1 *Berrettini (* denotes server)
For fans of players with artificial hips, I’m afraid the Italian is not letting up. But a great punched return from Murray offers him a chance of breaking straight back. He’s given a second serve to look at as well … and after a baseline rally, Berrettini nets a backhand.
Jabeur is now 5-1 to the good in the decider and Rogers now must serve to stay in that match …
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*Murray 4-6, 0-1 Berrettini (* denotes server)
Murray is made to work extremely hard in his attempt to hold the opening game of the set as Berrettini’s hitting retains that extra bite. A simple overhead seals the break, and the frustrated tics from the Briton go on.
Elsewhere, Rogers has held for the first time in the third set – it’s now 4-1 in Jabeur’s favour.
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Greetings. As Murray serves to kick off the second set, Jabeur is closing on victory over Rogers – she’s well up in the third set, 4-6, 6-4, 4-0.
Berrettini wins the first set 6-4
Some big serving and Berrettini waltzes through his service game and that secures the opening set. It was nip and tuck for a while but the Italian has his service rhythm going now and Murray is up against it. Righty, I’ll hand over to Stuart Goodwin for a while.
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First set: *Murray 4-5 Berrettini (* denotes server)
The momentum has swung Berrettini’s way in this opening set but Murray won’t give it away cheaply and hits back with a hold to love of his own, completing four straight points with a forehand winner. Berrettini will serve for the set though.
First set: Murray 3-5 Berrettini* (* denotes server)
Can Murray strike back? Berrettini says not. Two forehand winners either side of another ace along with a Murray backhand error secure a hold to love in the blink of an eye. Murray serving to stay in the set.
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First set: *Murray 3-4 Berrettini (* denotes server)
An amazing point to open with as Murray, blinded by the sun, totally mistimes his smash only for the ball to catch the rim of his racket on the downswing, turning it into the perfect drop shot. Murray laughs; Berrettini isn’t as amused by the one-in-a-thousand outcome. But the Italian responds, forces a break point and is gifted the game due to a Murray double fault. A first moment of crisis for the Scot.
First set: Murray 3-3 Berrettini* (* denotes server)
A clenched fist from Berrettini as his drop shot plan works this time to take him 30-0 in front. An ace secures 40-15 but Murray’s thrilling backhand topspin pass on the run (even Lendl smiles at that) and a Berrettini double fault takes game six to deuce. Another ace is wiped out by a Murray lob and the Scot has a break point which Berrettini bats away with a forehand winner. A sixth ace gives Berrettini advantage and he seals 3-3 as Murray finds the net. Quite a game that one. Still going with serve even though both players have faced a break point.
A quick jump over to Louis Armstrong and Ons Jabeur wins the second set 6-4 to take her match against Shelby Rogers to a decider.
First set: *Murray 3-2 Berrettini (* denotes server)
A scampering Murray slices a cute winner over the net to take the opening point and also drops another backhand winner which Berrettini can’t reach to go 30-0. Two more points and that’s Murray’s second hold to love in his opening three service games. Some good signs here.
First set: Murray 2-2 Berrettini* (* denotes server)
Making Murray run around is a decent tactic for Berrettini but he has to execute and doesn’t when putting an attempted drop shot into the net for 15-15. Murray reaches 30-30 but Berrettini’s second serve is over 100mph and he closes out the game to 30. 2-2.
First set: *Murray 2-1 Berrettini (* denotes server)
Murray slips to 15-30 with two unforced errors on his forehand – the first points against his serve – and at 30-30 he produces another glitch on that side to give Berrettini a first break point. But the 13th seed rather tamely slices a backhand into the top of the net and Murray steps up to secure a 2-1 lead. Going with serve for now.
First set: Murray 1-1 Berrettini* (* denotes server)
First point to Murray as he slams away a crosscourt winner after Berrettini’s forehand catches the top of the net and loops up. Berrettini reels off the next three points but the Italian fails with two forehands, the second a clumsy slug into the net, and Murray has deuce. But two aces and a Murray unforced error tie it up a 1-1.
First set: *Murray 1-0 Berrettini (* denotes server)
Two big serves from Murray secure 30-0 as Berrettini dumps both returns into the net. Some early groundstrokes find the corners too and it’s a hold to love. Excellent start for Murray.
Here we go and it’s Murray to serve…
Murray has a 48-14 win-loss record at the US Open and, of course, it’s 10 years since he made this the first of his three grand slam titles. Berrettini is 14-4 at the US Open so he’s had plenty of happy days here too. Their last meeting came in the 2022 Stuttgart final (on grass), the Italian taking victory, two sets to one.
Rogers has taken the first set against Jabeur, breaking her opponent to seal a fascinating opener. The American is 1-0 up in the second as that match nears the hour mark.
Fans are streaming into the Arthur Ashe Stadium although it’s only around a quarter full right now as Murray and Berrettini take to the court. Murray fist bumps a young fan and then looks up to the skies, squinting in the sun. Berrettini is a “cool dude” says Rusedski as the Italian lopes onto the court.
On Court 17, Davidovich Fokina has taken the first set (6-4) against Galan and leads 1-0 in the second.
A reminder of Murray’s task here against Berrettini.
The big-serving Italian reached the semis here in 2019 and the last eight in 2021. He made the Wimbledon final in 2021 and the last four of the Australian Open earlier this year. He’s missed the last two grand slams though after surgery on his hand ahead of the French Open and then missing Wimbledon due to covid.
Jim Courier and Tim Henman currently discussing the shadow that cuts across the court on Arthur Ashe. It’s very prominent in today’s sunshine.
Rogers, who lost to Emma Raducanu in round four last year, is proving a tenacious opponent and holds for 5-4.
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Shelby, the 31st seed, now edges 4-3 in front before Jabeur hits her 12th winner of the set to go 30-0 up in game eight.
“Stay tuned. Live programming begins shortly”. That’s the message on the Andy Murray match as I flick around Amazon Prime. Back to the excellent Rogers-Jabeur match.
Rogers breaks back to go 3-3 against Jabeur in the opener. The Tunisian lets out a roar of frustration as she dumps a forehand into the net to drop serve.
Greg Rusedski says “Andy is looking good in practice” as he watches the 2012 champ go through his paces. Not sure that counts for much. Could he be looking terrible in practice? I think Greg is filling.
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Rogers made the quarter-finals here in 2020 and the fourth round last year so she represents a tough test. Jabeur is finding her range now though and wins three games on the spin – two of those breaks – to go 3-2 up.
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It’s currently 24 degrees in New York and, with no cloud cover, that’s warm enough to add to the challenge for the 35-year-old Murray against his 26-year-old opponent Berrettini. Although at 6ft 5in, the Italian is nearer the sun so perhaps it evens out. More hot takes when I have them.
It’s not going to plan for Jabeur just yet and two unforced errors after another deuce game hand Rogers a break. 2-0 to the American.
One other third-round singles match is in play and Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is 3-1 up on Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan over on Court 17 after breaking his opponent in the very first game.
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Quite a start on Louis Armstrong as Rogers saves five break points to win the opening game against Jabeur. Some quality tennis in those first exchanges.
Elsewhere right now, there’s British interest with Joe Salisbury in doubles action alongside American Rajeev Ram. They’re taking on Aslan Karatsev and Luke Saville on Grandstand and have lost the first game to serve.
Less than an hour before Andy Murray starts his third-round clash but, in the meantime, we have action elsewhere.
Women’s fifth seed Ons Jabeur has gone out at this stage in each of the last three years but the Wimbledon finalist will be a warm order to beat American Shelby Rogers. Their match on Louis Armstrong has just started. Jabeur leads their head-to-heads 2-0.
Welcome and, first of all, let’s drop in on Amazon Prime’s live coverage where Tim Henman and Jim Courier are discussing Andy Murray. Andy is “trending in the right direction”, toots Tim while Jim, surprisingly if I’m honest, doesn’t know what a gilet is. Murray’s coach, Ivan Lendl, is wearing one as he watches his man warm up but Jim’s response is “a what?” when the garment is discussed.
Preamble
Emma Raducanu’s grip on the women’s singles was prized away immediately but this is turning into quite the tournament for the British men. Four of them have made it into the third round draw and that’s a record in the Open era.
Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans added to the British Invasion on Thursday afternoon and now it’s the turn of two other members of that fab four - Andy Murray and Jack Draper - to take it deeper still and reach the last 16.
Murray v Matteo Berrettini is the big early showdown today, the pair battling it out on Arthur Ashe from around 5pm UK time. The Italian is seeded 13 and holds a 2-1 winning record over the Scot, who hasn’t got this far since making the last eight in 2016. Murray, of course, won this tournament in 2012.
The hugely promising Draper - 15 years Murray’s junior - stunned sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets in round two and his match against 27th seed Karen Khachanov is due on Grandstand around 6.45pm UK time.
And as the clock chimes midnight here (that’ll be 7pm New York time), Serena Williams continues her bid to pull off a fairytale farewell. Ajla Tomljanovic is her opponent on Arthur Ashe. Sit back and get ready for another day of drama at Flushing Meadows.
