Murray wary of Di Mauro

Andy Murray admits he faces a difficult opponent in Alessio Di Mauro after the British number one defeated American qualifier Robert Kendrick to move through to the second round of the US Open.

The Scot was pegged back by Kendrick after easing through the first set but stepped up a level to record a 6-2 1-6 6-3 6-3 victory.

Murray said: "I lost against him a year and a half ago. (He's a) really solid player. Obviously, I'm playing much better than I was at that stage, but he's going to be difficult."

Seeded 17 after climbing into the world's top 20, Murray broke his opponent in the opening game and added another to clinch the first set in straightforward fashion.

Having whitewashed the same opponent as recently as July, another easy win looked on the cards going into the second set.

But all of a sudden the wheels fell off and Kendrick broke three times to level the match.

The Murray malaise continued at the start of the third, Kendrick breaking his opening service game, but the Scot broke back for 2-2 and again at 4-3 to regain control of proceedings.

Kendrick was unable to respond in the fourth and Murray closed out the match.