Andy Murray has defeated Florian Mayer in straight sets in the third round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
© AFP
After being pushed all the way to a tie-breaker, which he dominated 7-2, in a tight first set, the Scot secured a break early in the second for a 2-0 lead.
Now fully into his stride, Murray began to pummel the German with punishing groundstrokes before finally sealing the double break and the set at 6-2.
The world number three produced some scintillating tennis to break for a third time to go 3-1 ahead in the third set.
As Mayer served to stay in the match at 5-2, Murray chased down a drop shot before flicking a delightful winner without even having to look at where he was aiming.
That helped him on his way to breaking once again to seal a 7-6(1) 6-2 6-2 victory with just under two hours on the clock.
The reigning champion will continue the defence of his crown against either Andreas Seppi or Denis Istomin in the fourth round.
Michael Penkman
