Berdych loss opens up US Open draw for Murray
Andy Murray won through a routine first-round match against Lukas Lacko in searing conditions at the US Open on Wednesday, but seventh seed Tomas Berdych suffered a shock loss in his opener against Michael Llodra.
Murray’s 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory was the perfect start for the Scot, and the news that Wimbledon runner-up Berdych had fallen at the first hurdle should only have improved the fourth seed’s day.
The Czech, who defeated Roger Federer in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, had loomed as a likely quarter-final opponent for Murray, whose main challengers in his quarter of the draw now appear to be two big-serving Americans in 18th seed John Isner and 20th seed Sam Querrey.
Murray, who remains in search of his maiden Grand Slam title, produced 37 winners in the match against Lacko and broke his unseeded opponent’s serve six times for the match as he stamped his authority on proceedings on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“It wasn't necessarily the best tennis, but tricky conditions out there,” Murray said after his match against Lacko. “It was very windy on the court. It was a guy I've never played against on the tour. I haven't really seen much of him play, so took a little time to get used to his game. But I did enough to win in straight sets, and that was the most important thing.”
It was a different story for Berdych though after two strong performances at Roland Garros (semi-finals) and Wimbledon (final) as France’s Llodra remained unbroken for the three sets the match lasted while managing to secure two crucial breaks of serve against the Czech in the final two sets to claim the 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-4 victory.
The defeat marks the first time Berdych has been defeated in the opening round of a major since the 2009 French Open but for 30-year-old Llodra represents the chance to record his best Grand Slam finish of the year, having failed to progress beyond the second round in Australia, Paris or Wimbledon.
Llodra will now play Romania’s Victor Hanescu in the second round, while Murray takes on Jamaica’s Dustin Brown.
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