US Open: Andy Murray beats Moutet to earn 200th Grand Slam win with excellent display

The Scot becomes only the 8th man in the Open Era to reach 200 Grand Slam wins after the Big Three, Connors, Agassi, Lendl and Sampras

Jamie Malachy

August 29, 2023

US Open •First round • completed

See draw

A. MurrayvsC. Moutet

Andy Murray has written another historic chapter into his already outstanding career by beating Frenchman Corentin Moutet 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 at the US Open to earn his 200th Grand Slam victory.

Murray is only the eighth man in the Open Era to achieve such a feat. He joins the esteemed company of the Big Three, Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and coach Ivan Lendl.

In doing so, the former world No 1 moves into the second round at Flushing Meadows, where he will face the significant challenge of Grigor Dimitrov.

A testing opening encounter for Murray

Despite winning in straight sets, it was far from an easy assignment for the three-time Grand Slam champion, who faced a talented left-handed opponent in Corentin Moutet.

The first set was straightforward enough for the Scot, breaking twice to take opener 6-2.

However, Moutet fought back in the second, puncturing Murray’s cast-iron defence with some blistering winners down the line.

Andy Murray at the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie King National Tennis Center — Andy Murray now has 200 Grand Slam wins to his name Credit: AI / REUTERS / PANORAMIC

A lengthy middle stanza looked to be coming to a conclusion at the Frenchman served for the set at 5-4. Both break points and set points came and went in a tight game, before the pressure Murray was exerting finally took its toll, the Scot breaking Moutet to gain parity at 5-5.

From there, the former British No 1 wrapped up the set quickly, taking advantage of his visibly deflated opponent to hold serve and then break again to take the second 7-5.

Competitive final set provides New York crowd with brilliant theatre and video replay drama

In the third and final set, on a crucial point at 15-30 up on Murray’s serve, Moutet asked for a video replay of a ball the umpire deemed to have bounced twice before the Frenchman hit it.

After an extended delay, and in somewhat farcical scenes, it transpired that the replay technology was not working and the umpire was unable to make a more informed decision. Therefore, the original call stood and Murray was awarded the point. Television replays suggested this was the correct call.

The rest of the set was a tale of attack versus defence, with Murray exerting huge pressure on Moutet’s serve only for the Frenchman to defend brilliantly, keeping Murray’s advances at bay by saving nine out of ten break points faced.

How Andy Murray earned his 200th Grand Slam win

It was the last one that did the damage, though, as Murray finally made the breakthrough by taking Moutet’s serve in the eighth game of that final set.

The Scot then served out the match, saving break point along the way, for a truly historic milestone win.

“He’s one of the most skilful players on the tour, he has so many different ways to disrupt you,” Murray said of his opponent during his on-court interview.

“It was a long one. Three hours is a lot shorter than a lot of matches this year, so I’m happy to get it done in under three hours.”

There was positive news for the Murray camp when he was asked how his body was feeling following his abdominal injury.

“I feel good. The preparation was tricky… I had to slowly build my serving up, but I was happy with the way I was serving and the ab felt good.”

Next up for Murray is Grigor Dimitrov. The indomitable Scot will need to call on all his trademark fighting spirit if he is to notch his 201st Grand Slam win against the supremely talented Bulgarian.

You might also like this