Andy Murray silences Australia’s bad boy Nick Kyrgios at US Open

Third seed romps to four set win over youngster

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Andy Murray shakes hands with Nick Kyrgios after their first round match. Photo: USA Today

Published: 10:30am, 2 Sep 2015Updated: 10:28am, 2 Sep 2015

Nick Kyrgios ranted, showboated and even appeared to take a mid-match nap but it was 2012 champion Andy Murray who prevailed in their US Open clash 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 on Tuesday.

I got the momentum back at the start of the fourth set and I was serving pretty well, got a lot of free points

Andy Murray

In the tournament’s most eagerly-awaited first-round duel, third seed Murray claimed his fourth win in four meetings against the sport’s new bogeyman and third in three grand slam match-ups this year.

The British star, who has made at least the quarter-finals in New York every year since 2010, goes on to tackle France’s Adrian Mannarino for a spot in the last-32.

Australia’s Kyrgios, the world 37, goes away to contemplate facing Murray again in the Davis Cup semi-finals later this month.

“I got the momentum back at the start of the fourth set and I was serving pretty well, got a lot of free points,” said Murray.

“But it was tough conditions, very humid, I had to do a lot of running and defending.

Kyrgios appeared frustrated at various points in the match. Photo: AFP

“Nick is a great athlete and has all the shots.”

Kyrgios came into the tournament under the shadow of a suspension after his now infamous and lurid Montreal rant at Stan Wawrinka, but that threat only applies to ATP events.

So it was no surprise that the first profanity from the Australian came after just four games of the first set, when he complained about fans taking their seats during points.