NEW YORK — Former Illini Kevin Anderson avoided the upset bug Tuesday during the first round of the U.S. Open.
Anderson, seeded 15th, defeated Andrey Rublev of Russia 7-6 (1), 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-3.
Former Illini Rajeev Ram defeated Ryan Harrison 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-1 in another first-round match.
Andy Murray was only briefly troubled by Nick Kyrgios in the most-anticipated first-round match.
The third-seeded Murray, who won the title at Flushing Meadows in 2012, hit 18 aces and saved 11 of 14 break points en route to a 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 victory against Kyrgios on Tuesday night.