New York, Sept 3: World number four Andy Murray struggled into the US Open third round on Friday, clinching a 6-7 (5/7), 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, 6-4 victory over Dutchman Robin Haase, who needed regular treatment on a back injury.
Murray shook off his slow start to take a commanding fifth-set lead, then fended off a last furious charge from Haase to line up a meeting with 25th seed Feliciano Lopez for a place in the fourth round.
Murray beat the Spaniard in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
Haase, whose career has been blighted by a succession of knee problems, cruised into a two sets lead before he needed three separate visits from the trainer to tend his injured back.
Murray, who made the final here in 2008, won 13 games on the trot from 3-2 in the third set to 4-0 in the decider before Haase suddenly, and dramatically, launched a mini-recovery.
The 24-year-old Dutchman levlled at 4-4 before the Scotsman broke to lead 5-4.
Haase saved two match points, the second on a successful challenge to a forehand which was called out before Murray clinched victory when his opponent went long.
