NEW YORK: Former champions Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova reached the second round of the US Open on Monday, Murray overcoming painful muscle cramps as well as Robin Haase.

Eighth-seeded Murray, who won his first Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows in 2012, defeated the 70th-ranked Dutchman 6-3, 7-6 (8/6), 1-6, 7-5, but said the painful cramp that struck without warning could have cost him the match.

“I could have easily lost that match,” said Murray, who thought he’d have been in real trouble in a fifth set. “I was very close to losing the match.”

Fifth-seeded Sharapova, who lifted the trophy in 2006, rallied with a vengeance from an early break against fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko.

Trailing 2-4, Sharapova won the next 10 games to take the match.

Sharapova’s match was the curtain-raiser to world number one Novak Djokovic’s clash with Diego Schwartzman.

The 22-year-old Argentinian is playing in his second career Grand Slam — and the first tour-level hardcourt tournament of his career.

Top-seeded Djokovic, meanwhile, is eager to add another Grand Slam title to the seventh major crown he captured at Wimbledon.

Recently married and soon to be a father for the first time, Djokovic is gunning for a fifth straight US Open finals appearance and a second title to add to the one he won in 2011.

Murray hasn’t reached a final at any level since his emotional Wimbledon triumph last year.

He appeared to be in firm control before staggering through the third set in obvious pain, and twice rallied from a break down in the fourth to finally close it out after just over three hours.

With two-time defending champion Serena Williams and five-time champion Roger Federer not playing until Tuesday, four former champions were the opening day’s headliners.

Venus Williams, the winner in 2000 and 2001, also advanced, defeating Japanese veteran Kimiko Date Krumm 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Australian Open winner Stan Wawrinka, seeded third, moved smoothly into the second round with a 6-2, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3) victory over Czech Jiri Vesely.

Canada’s Milos Raonic pelted Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel with 20 aces in a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) victory.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2014