Andy Murray is facing a dreaded trip into unknown territory

Chris Jones
2 Sep 2010

A dreadlocked Jamaican who wants to represent Britain in the Davis Cup stands between Andy Murray and a place in the third round of the US Open tomorrow.

Dustin Brown reached the second round of a Grand Slam for the first time with a straight-sets victory over Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 6-4, 7-6, 7-5 that featured his unusual serve-and-volley game as well as the unique shots that he has nurtured at home in the Caribbean and on the road as a travelling professional who plays club tennis in Germany.

Now, Brown has to take on World No4 Murray for the first time with the Scot looking in ominous form after easily beating Slovakia's World No71 Lukas Lacko 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in stifling heat on centre court.

The 6ft 5ins Jamaican believes the hot conditions will give him an advantage but with Hurricane Earl set to reduce temperatures to around 80F, plus the threat of showers tomorrow, conditions will favour neither player.

Murray is more concerned about the scheduling of the US Open after having to wait three days to play his opening match, which means he must win seven battles in just 12 days to claim a first Grand Slam.

The British No1 said: “It is a lot easier to play seven matches in fourteen days and anyone would tell you that. It's just different here with the Saturday-Sunday, semi-finals and final which means it is always tricky for the players.”

Murray admits he has never seen his next opponent play but is aware of the threat the World No123 poses.

He said: “I haven't seen him play, so it will be another unknown opponent and I will try to find out as much as possible. You do need to concentrate on your own game but it is important to know about your opponent and try to find out even little bits and pieces about them that might have help you.

“I have heard about him. Brown has got a big game, serves and volleys a lot and is very different to a lot of players on the tour. He's a good athlete.”

Murray, who will not play Davis Cup tennis for Britain until it fits into his own schedule, wants Brown to make sure he opts for a new country for the right reasons, even though the Jamaican is honest about the financial side of his possible switch.

Murray said: “If it makes the team better, I guess that's a good thing. But I don't know how British he feels and that's something which is important when playing for your country.”

Brown is waiting to hear if a new president of the Jamaican Federation will bring more financial support for his tennis before he asks again about playing for Britain — although the Lawn Tennis Association have yet to get back to him.

Brown said: “The LTA have to come towards me and tell me how we can help each other.

“It's not just the sense of running around and getting a British passport. I feel very Jamaican and now there is a new president and I'm waiting to see where we can go from here.”

Meanwhile, former champion Andy Roddick went out in the second round last night, beaten 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 by Janko Tipsarevic. Roddick won his only Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows in 2003 but has been battling against illness in recent weeks and was short of his usual power.

World No7 Tomas Berdych, a potential quarter-final opponent for Murray, was beaten by Michael Llodra in straight sets 7-6, 6-4, 6-4.