US Open 2015: Andy Murray 'proud' of Adrian Mannarino fightback
- Published
US Open |
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Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 31 August - 13 September |
Coverage: Live radio and text commentary on every Andy Murray match plus selected matches. |
Britain's Andy Murray said he was proud of his US Open comeback against Adrian Mannarino - but conceded he could pay the price later in the tournament.
The Scot, seeded third, won 5-7 4-6 6-1 6-3 6-1 in three hours and 17 minutes against the world number 35 Frenchman.
"I'm proud of the way I fought," said the 28-year-old, who plays Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci in the third round.
"It was not an easy match to come through at all. He was making it extremely difficult for me."
It is the eighth time in his career that Murray has come back from two sets down to win - a number matched only by Swiss Roger Federer among active players.
"I've come through many tough matches in my career and I think that's why, when you are behind like that in the scoreline, you have the belief that you can come through and do it again," said Murray. "That definitely helped me here today."
Team Murray key to recovery
Murray has been suffering with a slight head cold in New York but said that had not affected him against Mannarino.
More significant was the soaring temperature and humidity he had to withstand for more than three hours.
"In these conditions, obviously it can take its toll later on in the tournament," said the 2012 champion. "But unfortunately you don't always have the luxury of winning matches in straight sets. Sometimes you have to fight through."
He added: "Normally the next day is when you feel it, when you wake up. Obviously you get stiff and sore. But that's why I surround myself with the team that I do to recover as best as possible."
Brazil's Bellucci next in line
Murray will look to gain a first win over 30th seed Bellucci when they meet for only the second time on Saturday.
The 27-year-old Brazilian beat Murray in straight sets on the Madrid clay in 2011, and the Briton described him as "an aggressive player".
"I would imagine he's pretty close to his career-high ranking just now," Murray added. "He's played well this year."
Bellucci is through to the third round for the first time but has yet to drop a set.
He beat Britain's James Ward in round one and Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka in round two, taking just three hours and 42 minutes in total.
BBC Sport's tennis correspondent Russell Fuller: |
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"Mannarino predicted before the match that it was going to be very complicated, but he didn't mean for Murray. The world number three's powers of recovery are renowned, but this one seemed far from certain after two sets. |
"Murray seemed listless and out of sorts until he once again managed to rediscover that spark, and brush Mannarino aside without further fuss. He has, though, already spent six hours on court; Novak Djokovic just two hours and 40 minutes." |
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