US Open 2021: Andy Murray a tough start for me - Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas (left) and Murray have never faced each other in a competitive match

Third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas knows former champion Andy Murray "will not give up" when the pair meet in the first round of the US Open.

The 23-year-old Greek is one of the favourites at Flushing Meadows with some star names forced to pull out of the tournament.

But he is not thinking further than his encounter with 2012 winner Murray, 34.

"I'm focusing on what's next. This is way too deep to look into. Got to stay in the moment," he said.

"He's still on," Tsitsipas added.

"He's someone that has been putting a lot of work in to get back and has been playing very good tennis to be standing where he's at right now.

"I'm going to go for it, try my chances against him. He's someone that won't give up. I'll have to bring some good tennis from my side."

Spain's Rafael Nadal, Swiss superstar Roger Federer and defending champion Dominic Thiem of Austria are among those unable to play in New York through injury - and Murray has fought hard not to join them.

The Scot has overcome the minor thigh injury that curtailed his Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games singles last month.

Since then he has enjoyed a good win against France's Richard Gasquet before losing to world number 13 Hubert Hurkacz at the Cincinnati Masters. Murray then beat Noah Rubin at the Winston-Salem Open before losing to American Frances Tiafoe.

"Physically I've been good since I've been here in the matches," Murray said of his recent performances in US tournaments. "That was also the case through Wimbledon, as well. I was a little bit fatigued towards the end of Wimbledon because of the longer matches that I played in the first couple of rounds, having not played for a while.

"I would obviously like my game to be in a better place. It's interesting sometimes that you don't feel like you're playing particularly well, but I've had opportunities in my matches against top players in the last few weeks and not quite taken them.

"Maybe if I do, I'd maybe be sitting here with a slightly different take on things."

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