History didn’t repeat itself for Laura Robson at the US Open but it continues to do so for defending champion Andy Murray who admitted to turning up when needed to advance to the third round.
Robson and Murray, who won Olympic mixed doubles silver together at London 2012, were both in singles action during Friday’s schedule with the former set for a rematch of last year’s US Open third-round clash with Li Na.
The Brit triumphed 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 on that occasion but was to fall 6-2, 7-5 this time around before Murray took to the court to face Leonardo Mayer of Argentina in the second round of the men’s draw.
Murray defeated Mayer 7-5, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 and will now face a German of the same name, Florian Mayer, in the last 32 and feels he is doing just enough as his title defence rolls on at Flushing Meadows.
“I didn’t feel like I served as well as I did in the first match – different court, different conditions during the day,” said Murray.
“I finished the match well. I played well when I needed to – that’s a good sign. I want to keep improving as the tournament goes on.
“You don’t want to play your best right at the beginning, so I hope I can get better.
“It’s a court I haven’t played my best tennis on, that’s for sure. I’m happy to play on any court. It doesn’t really make a huge, huge difference.
“We got a great crowd out there; it was a really good atmosphere from pretty much the first point through to the last.
“Whether or not I’ve played well on that court, it’s always a really good atmosphere. It’s normally packed and it was the same again.”
Meanwhile Robson described her campaign in the women’s singles draw at Flushing Meadows as ordinary following her defeat to Na.
“I didn’t have a very good start and she came out firing and didn't give me a lot to go on in the rallies," said Robson.
"It was a tough match for me to get into but I thought she played really, really well, very solid on the serve and return, so it was a tough one.
"I'm still very disappointed. I could have played a lot better. Overall I would say it was an average week and I definitely was looking to do better."
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