Murray on US Open: Expect upsets and surprises

Andy Murray defeated Frances Tiafoe in three haphazard sets at the Western & Southern Open's unconventional Cincinnati-in-Queens setup. The 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-1 win was Murray's first at the ATP level since October of last year when he won the Antwerp title.

"Obviously if you play the top players, you know you're going to have to play a high level of tennis," Murray said in virtual press. "But there are certain matches you can get through not playing your best, and I think I did that today."

Tiafoe had fun with his response to Murray's Instagram post about their duel: "Had you by the balls bro, but legends prevail, fun out there today keep going Andy Murray."

Murray would next take out No. 5 seed Alexander Zverev on Monday, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 to reach the round of 16. And he thinks the tournaments being played out in Flushing Meadows, sans fans—thus with uninterrupted practice-session travel on foot—will see some unexpected results.

"I do feel there will be a lot of upsets," Murray said. "Usually there's a little bit more time to get used to the conditions. I think there's quite a lot of unknowns going into the tournament. Normally you play a few more tournaments in the buildup to a major event like the US Open, as well.”

The Western & Southern Open should be some indication: No. 1 seed Karolina Pliskova and No. 2 seed Sofia Kenin lost their openers on Sunday. Men's No. 2 seed Dominic Thiem lost a lopsided 6-2, 6-1 match to Filip Krajinovic.

Murray expects topsy-turvy results for those competing in both, with the potential for entering a major event with just one sanctioned match under one's belt if losing immediately in "Cincinnati."

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"Who knows really what's going to happen," he said. "I think obviously still winning a tournament like Cincinnati or winning the US Open is still a huge deal. It's just, like I said, going to be different playing in front of no fans... There will be some surprising results and stuff."

Murray stayed in a rental house for a few days before joining the Western & Southern and US Open player hotel "bubble" on Long Island. The Scot explained that the private home costs for the whole stay would have been "astronomical."

At this point in his career, after the surgeries and layoffs, the three-time major champion will just be glad to get a good many matches.