NEW YORK - Andy Murray admitted a slight case of first-match nerves as the Scottish fourth seed earned a 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 6-3 win on Wednesday over Indian Somdev Devvarman in the opening round of the US Open.

Andy Murray of Britain hits a return to Somdev Devvarman of India during their match at the US Open in New York on Wednesday. Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

Murray, who lost the 2008 final at Flushing Meadows to Roger Federer, was only half joking when he said: "Try being a British player going into a Grand Slam, it's not easy.

"There's obviously pressure playing in these events to start with. It's a match you're expected to win. There's obviously going to be a bit of nerves."

But with experience in three Grand Slam finals - albeit all defets - nothing can particularly rattle the world number four.

"If you're going in and are not nervous, there's something wrong with you.

"It was good to get the match out of the way," said Murray, who dropped his serve in the opening game but recovered smoothly. "I played better as the match went on. Hopefully the next round will be better."

Murray's victory over the number 64 from India marked his 18th win in New York against six defeats.

His 44 unforced errors were almost balanced by his 41 winners in nearly two and a half hours.

"He really does take advantage of his opportunities," Devvarman said. "Once he got ahead a break in the second, I felt he really took control of the match."

Murray said that he is concentrating on trying to break through for a title at a major after failing three times at the final hurdle, including at the last two editions of the Australian Open.

"You put a lot of effort and preparation into getting ready for these events and you don't want to get off to a bad start," he said. "Nerves are a good thing, they show you care."

Murray was the winner of the last lead-up event in Cincinnati 10 days ago against Novak Djokovic. That victory made him the only man to beat the world number one on hardcourt so far in 2011, although he had a little help from Djokovic's own sore shoulder.

Murray is now looking to a second-round date with Dutchman Robin Hasse, who booked his spot with a 6-0, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Portugal's Rui Machado.

"He's a tough player, he nearly beat Rafa a few years ago at Wimbledon. I've got to be ready for that one," Murray said. "He's talented and has quite a big game. He'll start off very fast, very flashy.

"He likes playing on the big courts."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 09/02/2011 page22)