Murray defies soaring temperatures to cruise past Lacko

ANDY MURRAY yesterday defied “brutal conditions” to cruise into the second round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows.

Murray had to wait until the third day to play his first-round match against Slovakia’s Lukas Lacko, but needed just one hour and 51 minutes to complete a 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

With the temperature in New York approaching 100 degrees – 10th seed Victoria Azarenka collapsed in the first set of her match with Gisela Dulko earlier – Murray was delighted to get through in straight sets against the world number 71.