• Briton wins first-round match 7-6, 6-2, 6-3
• World No4 recovers from first-set wobble
Dismissed as a “real good college player” by John McEnroe, Somdev Devvarman played enough educated tennis in the first round of the US Open to remind Andy Murray that there is always a smarty-pants skulking in the bushes, waiting to embarrass you.
As it happened, Murray gathered his composure after a first set that got away from him several times to win 7-6, 6-2, 6-3 in nearly two and a half hours on Arthur Ashe Court. He was relieved as much as elated afterwards, his pale Scottish features having reddened under the unforgiving sun.
What a strange few weeks it has been for the world No4. He played fitfully for the two desultory sets his opening match in Montreal lasted, against Kevin Anderson, improved day by day to win in Cincinnati, not much the wiser if he was at Novak Djokovic’s current level when the Serb retired injured in the final – and then he walks into an earthquake, a hurricane and Mr Devvarman.
He has handled all in his own quirky way. Spectators near the media sets in this enormous bowel could be overheard musing when Murray was struggling most: “Why does he always do it the hard way?”
It is a question that has been put to him many times, and there is still no convincing answer from the player himself, or theory from anyone else. It is just the way he is, an edgy, brilliant athlete whose concentration is either fierce – as at Queen’s – or flickering, as in the first set.
Devvarman could not kill Murray’s weaker second serve with the last of three break points he was gifted, but the Scot was hanging on in the opening moments. He had to save a fourth after Devvarman ended a high-skill exchange of chips and dinks – but netted a forehand. Not for first time this season – or historically – Murray was creating problems where there ought not be any.
Devvarman, here at a career-high 64 in the world, did not look fazed by the occasion or, indeed, his opponent. Murray’s part-time coach, Dani Vallverdu, had played the Indian several times in college tennis but his form here was a little way removed from that.
This, after all, was the first round of the US Open against the world No4 on Arthur Ashe Court. And leading 2-0 after holding serve, he looked anything but a varsity blow-in. He looked like someone capable of a major upset.
What was always in the back of Murray’s mind, no doubt, was that he is so much more experienced over the long haul of a five-setter in a major tournament.
It showed in the tie-break. Devvarman got a sniff of a breakthrough when he went ahead 3-2 after Murray drilled a backhand wide, but the Indian player froze in the sight of the prize, double-faulting to hand the initiative back to the Scot.
Murray confirmed to Devvarman that he was in another place now when he banged a 126 mile-an-hour ace past him to move 5-3 ahead, then took the set comfortably.
They traded breaks at the start of the second and, briefly, Devvarman looked as if he had rediscovered the momentum of the first set, when his touch, speed and invention had caused Murray problems. But Murray was hitting his own rhythm now and there was little his opponent could do against the relentless backhand, the occasional big forehand and a serve that pinned him behind the baseline.
Murray mixed it up cleverly when he sensed Devvarman was unable to handle the pace or spin of his first serve, dropping the ball neatly over the net occasionally, to keep him guessing. It was an efficient, professional job, with few frills. The fans near the press box were now a little more enthused. “Say what you like,” said one, “but he usually gets the job done.”
“Usually” is not as good as “often”, of course, and Murray has yet to impose himself in tournaments the way Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Djokovic do – although Nadal’s recent form must be causing the Spaniard some concern. He is now being stretched by players he once dismissed – whereas Federer and Djokovic have made a much bigger impact here and look the two players clear of the field at the top of the betting.
Robin Soderling’s withdrawal lightened everyone’s load – as did that of Venus Williams, who pulled out late in the afternoon with an unspecified health problem. Murray, meanwhile, remained true to his instincts of taking us all to the very edge of our seats. Even when he was cruising in the third set.
He looked to have Davverman where he wanted him but towards the end, serving for the set, he gave him break point again, a needless inconvenience when what he really wanted to do was get out of the stultifying heat and put his feet up. On match point, though, he had Daverman stranded deep and needed just a simple chip to win. He netted. He managed it again two points later to drop serve. “Typical,” said the American fan behind us.
Those of us who had seen it all before could only nod quietly. This was Murray tennis, a unique brand of the game not easily learnt but never forgotten. When he eventually put away the winner, Murray had done much for Devvarman’s education.
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