Murray ends Dent's US Open run

NEW YORK // Andy Murray ended American wild-card entry Taylor Dent's improbable run at the US Open with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory in the third round today. The No 2 seed Murray is trying to become the first British man since the 1930s to win a grand slam singles title. The 195th-ranked Dent of the USA, meanwhile, was thrilled to return to Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2005 - and even more pleased to win two matches.

"Obviously the crowd wanted Taylor to win," Murray said, "but I played very well." Dent once was ranked as high as 21st in the world, but he was told by doctors he might not be able to play professional tennis again after having three back operations. "It's nothing but positive for me. This is a huge step forward in my progression," Dent said. "I'm glad to be back, but I'm sorry I'm not sticking around."

Murray, the runner-up to Roger Federer last year, made it into the fourth round for the sixth consecutive major tournament. He has said he wants to win a US Open title, perhaps even more than he wants to win Wimbledon. "I've always enjoyed the atmosphere. New York's one of my favourite cities," Murray said. "I came here the first time when I was 15 to play the juniors, and we got treated great here."

Sunday night's match up pitted one of tennis' top returners - Murray - against an old-style serve-and-volleyer - Dent. "I thought I returned really, really well," said Murray, who faces Marin Cilic of Croatia next. "I thought that was the key to the match." * AP