Murray overcomes cramp to battle through in New York

In conditions that were hot but not extreme, the Scot struggled badly with cramp during the last two sets but survived to win 6-3 7-6 (8/6) 1-6 7-5.

Haase, who was also troubled physically, served for the fourth set but could not take advantage of Murray’s discomfort.

It was another dramatic match on Louis Armstrong Stadium for Murray, who has endured some of his least comfortable moments in grand slams on Flushing Meadows’ second court.

The 27-year-old, who next meets German qualifier Matthias Bachinger, said: “I started cramping at the beginning of the third set.

“It was not particularly comfortable. I tried to hang around as best I could and managed to get through.

“I need to work out why that happened because it shouldn’t happen after an hour and 45 minutes, even though it was hot.”

The first two sets were competitive and up and down from Murray but there was nothing to indicate the drama to come.

Indeed, the Scot could not have made a better start, racing into a 4-0 lead.

The one thing that was not working well was Murray’s serve and the Dutchman took advantage to retrieve one break, and Murray had to save another break point on his way to taking the set.

Murray is seeded only eighth this year, his lowest in New York since before he reached his first grand slam final there in 2008.

It was Haase who made the better start to the second set, moving into a 3-1 lead as Murray’s forehand went walkabout, but the Scot hit straight back.

Murray missed a chance to break for 5-4 but held serve confidently enough to take the set into a tie-break. He had two set points at 6-4, could not win either, but accepted a third set point and took it 8-6.

In the third set Murray, having won the opening game, promptly lost six in a row, barely moving for many balls. The temperature was soaring and Murray implored the umpire to call for ice.

He came out for the fourth set with the clear intention of trying to make points short but it did not work as Haase made it nine games in a row to move into a 3-0 lead. Haase then called for the trainer after the fifth game for treatment to his foot.

When Murray dropped serve once again he left Haase serving to make it two sets all. The Dutchman made a mess of it, handing Murray the break back.

Two games Murray successfully served for the match, but only after having to save three break points.