Andy Murray survived an almighty scare to reach the US Open third round after fighting back from two sets down to dramatically defeat Robin Haase.An out of sorts Murray looked down and out after serving up an error-strewn display in the first half of the match, however he responded in admirable fashion against the Dutchman to take the match 6-7 (5) 2-6 6-2 6-0 6-4.
While far from his best, the world No. 4 will be relieved to remain in the draw after producing one of his worst displays of the year, however he can take heart from his courageous fightback at Flushing Meadows.
Next up for the British No. 1 is 25th seed Feliciano Lopez, whom he defeated earlier this year at Wimbledon.
Having been broken in game, Murray appeared to have thrown himself a first-set lifeline when he broke back in game 10 with Haase serving for the set.
The pair held serves in the next two games to force a tie-breaker and the initiative was firmly with the Scot when he moved into a seemingly commanding 4-1 lead only for his forehand to capitulate and the Dutchman reeled off six of the next seven points to pinch it.
Suddenly, Murray's body language looked as bleak as the shape of his game with the world No. 4 having lost complete control of his forehand and it was no surprise when
Haase broke to love in game two of the second set.
The Dutchman survived two Murray break points at 15-40 in the following game yet when Murray did break back in game five he gifted the initiative straight back to his opponent, double faulting for a sixth time to hand him a 4-2 lead.
Haase was playing well but by no means exceptionally, with Murray's mistakes and weak serve contributing to his downfall in a display unrecognisable to those he served up along the way to success in Cincinnati a fortnight ago.
He was broken again in game eight when he netted with another feeble forehand and that was enough to hand Haase a two-set lead and leave him on the verge of round three.
Having looked a beaten man, Murray finally showed some fighting spirit at the start of the third set when he broke in game three when Haase went long following a lengthy rally and, after being gifted a second break with a double fault from the Dutchman, he served out for the set to hand himself a lifeline.
Now it was Haase's turn to cut a dejected figure and a combination of some abject play from the Dutchman and scintillating tennis from a rejuvenated Murray saw the Scot take the fourth set to love to force a decider.
Haase handed the Brit an immediate break in the decider when he netted, before thrusting his racquet into the ground in frustration, and Murray looked home and dry when he raced into a 4-0 lead.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/09/02/us-open-andy-murray-mounts-dramatic-fightback-to-edge-five-set/
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