Murray battles past Llodra

Murray: Gritty display

US Open
Flushing Meadows, Aug 25- Sep 7
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Andy Murray was given a stern workout before he clawed his way to a 6-4 1-6 7-5 7-6 victory over Michael Llodra in his second round match at Flushing Meadows.

The Scot was frustrated by his French counterpart's chip and charge style and at times showed the temper which struggles to endear him to capacity crowds.

However, the sixth seed eventually quelled the plucky lefty by firing down 12 aces and a handful of winners to set up a third round clash with Austrian Jurgen Melzer.

The match commenced with a near perfect start - Murray taking the initiative by breaking the left-hander's serve in game three.

The number six seed oozed class and composure in the opening set as the one break proved the difference - the 21-year-old taking the first set 6-4 in just 27 minutes.

However, Murray's high standard's couldn't be maintained, with Llodra getting an early beak in the second set as the Frenchman raced into a 3-0 lead.

Tempers flared

And matters didn't get much better with the 28-year-old breaking Murray again to take the set convincingly 6-1.

Murray opened the third set, and, after an epic first game, he managed to cling onto his serve. It was at this point the temperature rose on court and tempers flared - both Llodra and Murray showed their displeasure with Carlos Bernardez's umpiring.

The set went with serve as both players demonstrated their deft touch at crucial stages in the match.

But with the score poised at 6-5, Murray found something out of the ordinary and broke Llodra to love to clinch set number three.

Tricky

The fourth set proceeded with both players holding their serve until, at 3-3, Llodra had Murray on the ropes at 0-40. Murray won the next two points, but failed to take it to deuce and Llodra clinched the break.

However, the Scot showed his character once again by breaking back before eventually winning the match by capitalising on some loose play from Llodra in the tiebreaker.

Speaking after the match Murray said: "He is such a tricky guy to play against, he is very good at the net.

"It was a tricky match and I knew it was going to be tough but I am glad I came through. I think everyone feels a bit of pressure in those tense moments.

"I think he served well on those big points but he did miss an easy shot and I managed to get a few returns back."