Andy Murray sails into US Open second round but Kyle Edmund crashes out

It was the first time Murray has won a straight-sets match at a grand slam since Wimbledon five years ago, and he said: "That felt like five sets to me. It's very tricky conditions, very humid and hot. I was really happy with the way I got through that one, it was not easy."

He has not been beyond the second round at Flushing Meadows since 2016 but this was a kind draw. Cerundolo is still looking for his first main draw victory at a slam and is inexperienced on hard cards.

Later in the day, Kyle Edmund was beaten by Casper Ruud on his return to grand slam tennis but gave a decent account of himself against the fifth seed at the US Open.

Edmund had not played a singles match at any of tennis' biggest events since the US Open in 2020, after which he underwent three knee operations before finally making his return earlier this summer.

He was given a very tough draw against French Open finalist Ruud, who is a contender for the title, and came up short in a 6-3 7-5 6-2 defeat in sweltering conditions at Flushing Meadows.

But Edmund should feel encouraged that he is not too far away as he treads the long road back to what he hopes will be a return to the higher echelons of the game.