New York : Daniil Medvedev launched the defence of his US Open crown on Monday with a straight sets victory over lowly ranked American Stefan Kozlov. World number one Medvedev, bidding to become the first man to successfully defend the US Open since Roger Federer in 2008, eased into the second round with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 win in 2hrs 1min. Victory was sweet for Medvedev, who revealed he had regularly struggled to beat Kozlov when the two played at junior level. “He was almost impossible to beat,” said the Russian, citing one encounter where his opponent “destroyed me. “I was happy to get my revenge today,” Medvedev added.
Andy Murray marked the 10th anniversary of his maiden Grand Slam triumph with an impressive US Open straight sets win over Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo on Monday. The 35-year-old Murray defeated the 24th seed 7-5, 6-3, 6-3, showing no signs of recent cramping problems which plagued his hardcourt summer. “It felt like five sets,” said Murray after his first straight sets victory at the Slams since Wimbledon in 2017. “They were very tricky conditions, very hot and humid. Just really happy to get through that one. Murray won the first of his three Grand Slams at the US Open in 2012, ending Britain’s 76-year wait for a men’s champion at the majors.