Andy Murray speaks on facing Matteo Berrettini at US Open

Andy Murray says Matteo Berrettini has had a “bit of an unlucky year” but he is expecting a really difficult match when he meets the Italian at the US Open.

On Wednesday, Murray defeated 203rd-ranked Emilio Nava 5-7 6-3 6-1 6-0 to progress into the US Open third round.

There, Murray will meet Berrettini, who defeated him in the Stuttgart final two and a half months ago.

ā€œHeā€™s had a bit of an unlucky year, to be honest,ā€ said Murray of Berrettini. ā€œI know he got Covid at the beginning of Wimbledon having just won Stuttgart and Queens back-to-back. I think it was a wrist injury he had so he missed pretty much the whole of the clay season as well this year, but when he has been on the court heā€™s done really, really well. We played in the Stuttgart final, a tough three-set match, so Iā€™m expecting it to be really difficult, but if I play well and my return is on point then Iā€™ve got a good chance.ā€

Murray aiming to end his losing streak versus Berrettini

Going into the match, Berrettini owns a 2-1 head-to-head record versus Murray.

When Murray and Berrettini clashed for the first time in 2019 Beijing, Murray claimed a straight-set win.

A year ago at the Queen’s Club, Berrettini ousted Murray in straight sets.

This summer, Berrettini won the third meeting between him and Murray.

In the Stuttgart final, Murray had a bad luck of injuring his abdomen.

Murray was able to finish the final but couldn’t overcome the injury and a difficult opponent as Berrettini won in three sets 6-4 5-7 6-3.

After losing the last two matches versus Berrettini, Murray will certainly be motivated to get a bit of a revenge and beat the Italian.

Murray, 35, has made a Grand Slam third round for the first time this season.

It remains to be seen if Murray can beat Berrettini and reach the US Open second week.