US Open: Andy Murray set to take on Leonardo Mayer in second round

Andy Murray will take on Leonardo Mayer later today in bid to join Dan Evans in the third round of the US Open.

After beginning his campaign with a swift victory over Michael Llodra on Wednesday night, Murray takes on Mayer in the third match in the Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The two players were born on the same day but apart from that they have very little in common.

The world No 81 is an out-and-out claycourt player.

On the red stuff he is dangerous, and he has chalked up some good results recently, beating Philipp Kohlschreiber in Kitzbuhel.

The 6’2″ right-hander is less of a threat on cement, and he needed four long sets to see off the veteran Victor Hanescu in the first round.

His best shot is a powerful forehand, but he does not have a weapon with which he can really hurt the world No 3.

Murray has often struggled on Armstrong and last year had unexpectedly tough matches against both Feliciano Lopez and Marin Cilic on Flushing Meadows’ second court.

Anything other than a straight sets victory for Murray though would be a major surprise. They have met only once before, four years ago in Valencia when Murray prevailed in three sets.

“He’s a very talented player,” said Murray on Wednesday night.

“He’s got big sort of long, looping strokes. I think he’s had quite a few injuries the last couple years and that’s why he hasn’t sort of got much higher in the rankings [Mayer is at No 81] but he’s very tough.”