Scot proves too good for world No 448 Duckworth – but cramp-stricken Edmund loses to veteran

ELEANOR CROOKS

Andy Murray returned to grand slam tennis a winner as he battled past James Duckworth and into the second round of the US Open yesterday.

After missing four successive grand slam tournaments with the hip problem that forced him to have surgery in January, just stepping back on to a match court at one of tennis’ biggest events was already a victory of sorts.

But Murray still fervently believes he can get back to the top of the sport and, although this performance will not have set any alarm bells ringing among his rivals, it was a positive start.

After dropping the first set on a tie-break, Murray gradually began to take control against Duckworth, who could empathise with his opponent having undergone five operations since the start of 2017.

Murray eventually ground out a 6-7 (5/7) 6-3 7-5 6-3 victory in hot and sticky conditions on the new Louis Armstrong Stadium and moves through to a second-round clash with 31st seed Fernando Verdasco.

The Scot, who won the title in 2012, said: “At times it was tricky especially early on, it was very lively, very hot.

“James was serving big and playing a lot of drop shots, throwing me off rhythm. I was happy I managed to get through that and play some good stuff at times.

“I’ve lost a lot of matches out here over the years, I’ve struggled a lot, but it’s like a new beginning. It was beautiful, a great atmosphere and I’m very, very happy to be back.”

Murray never seemed comfortable in the tight confines of the old Louis Armstrong and had many tough battles on there, so the space and airiness of the new court – as well as some shade – was very welcome.

This was only his fifth tournament and eighth match since returning to the match court at Queen’s Club in June, so these are very much still baby steps.

Murray’s shots lacked the penetration of old while his second serve often barely crept above 70 miles per hour, but his movement is improving all the time and ultimately he was too good for Duckworth.

When the Scot sprinted to pick up a drop volley and guide the ball down the line to set up match point, celebrating as he raced past the net, it was almost as if he had never been away.

Duckworth, a 26-year-old once ranked as high as 82 but now down at 448 following three surgeries on his foot and one each on a shoulder and elbow, did not allow Murray to get comfortable early on and more often than not was the aggressor, particularly off his backhand.

He dug in very well to take the first-set tie-break and, after Murray stepped up in the second set, the third was the crux of the contest.

Murray’s groundstrokes at last began to push Duckworth back and he played a fine point to break serve in the final game, the Australian’s racket paying the price.

It was Murray slamming his racket angrily to the ground after dropping serve in the opening game of the fourth set but he broke straight back and looked encouragingly fresh as he wrapped up victory after three hours and 18 minutes.

Meanwhile, cramp-stricken Kyle Edmund – Murray’s successor as British No 1 – fell in the first round, losing 4-6 6-4 7-5 6-1 to Italian veteran Paolo Lorenzi.

Lorenzi, 36, has a good record in New York having taken a set off Murray in the third round in 2016 before reaching round four last year, but this still looked a good draw for Edmund, now a solid top-20 player and the 16th seed.

But he has not shown the form he would have liked on the North American hard courts, winning only three matches in four tournaments, but had the better of three straight breaks of serve to start the match before taking the first set.

But, gradually, Lorenzi and the punishingly hot and humid conditions began to get the better of Edmund. He was broken to lose the second set and the same thing happened in the third, this time from 40-0.

By now, cramp had started to set in and Edmund called the trainer for some salt tablets. He was struggling to move, though, hopping around on the baseline as his calves tightened.

Lorenzi was not about to let him off the hook and Edmund did not win a game until 5-0 in the fourth set as he suffered a first-round loss at a slam for the first time since Wimbledon 2016.

Edmund revealed he is still feeling the effects of a viral-type illness that he was struck down by after Wimbledon, which left him less able to handle the conditions.

He said: “For sure I’m disappointed I’m like this but I’ve just got to get better. It’s nothing new to me. It’s a shame it ended like it did because it’s pretty horrible.” Andy Murray, top, celebrates his first round victory in what was his first grand slam action since Wimbledon 2017; Kyle Edmund in action during his defeat at the hands of Paolo Lorenzi. Getty.