Andy Murray's decision to help his mate Ross Hutchins enter the US Open doubles tournament is helping the British No1 stay sharp here in New York as he deals with a delay to his second-round singles match against Michael Llodra.

Instead of facing world No38 Llodra today, as expected, Murray will not play him until tomorrow; the result of the tournament's insistence on doing things their own way.

The three other Grand Slams operate a day-on, day-off basis in the singles competitions but with television demands and floodlight tennis coming in the equation, the US Open draw becomes very confusing.

Murray agreed to partner Hutchins only 20 minutes before the entry list closed and their 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 win over the Ratiwatana twins from Thailand gave the No6 seed valuable match action. He will practise today but acknowledges the decision to help out his friend has turned out to be a wise move.

"I only heard a couple of hours before playing the doubles match that I wouldn't be taking on Llodra until Thursday," said Murray. "I have played doubles in the Slams a few times and with the scheduling here it's important to get a match in. You want to stay sharp on your off days.

"Ideally, I would prefer to play every other day like in the other Slams, but it is different here, where you play Monday-Thursday and then face a Saturday-Sunday schedule at the end of the tournament. It can be quite tough.

"In doubles, you get a lot of returns and it's good for the volleys and your reflexes. At the start of the tournament you don't tend to play two matches in the same day and it's not too much of a problem playing both events. It only gets tricky if you get deep into both events."

Hutchins said: "With 20 minutes to go I didn't have a partner and then Andy agreed to play and I am very grateful. His return is probably the best in the game and his volleying has improved in recent years. He is great to partner."

Former champion Marat Safin was in fiery mood after being foot-faulted in the fourth set of his 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win over Vince Spadea, for, apparently, having his back foot partly across the centre line at the beginning of his service motion.

Safin, who was heard on a courtside microphone swearing at the official who called the fault, then told the press conference: "I think it was complete bullshit. How you can see on the side, 35 metres away, a foot fault like that?

"It's really pissing me off, because it's an official that never touched a racquet, and they're telling you what are the rules. They want me to be happy and they want me to be great in the press room, like be nice, speak nice and all these things. Why should I?"

Reigning champion Roger Federer, chasing a fifth successive title, made short work of Maximo Gonzalez, of Argentina, winning 6-3, 6-0, 6-3 to prove he is still a major force despite failing to win a Slam title this year.

Federer is the No2 seed for the first time in the last 18 Slams and said: "Starting from the bottom of the draw is different as No2 but the fans are giving me unbelievable support, saying I am still No1 and going to win. which has been great. They want me to win the big ones again.

"The epic final I had with Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon means our rivalry is at its peak."

Richard Gasquet, the 12th seed, was a first-round loser against the dangerous German, Tommy Haas, who triumphed 6-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.