<p><br /> Britain's Andy Murray defied "brutal conditions" to cruise into the second round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows.<br /> </p><p><br /> Murray had to wait until the third day to play his first-round match against Slovakia's Lukas Lacko, but needed just one hour and 51 minutes to complete a 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium.<br /> </p><p><br /> With the temperature in New York approaching 100F - 10th seed Victoria Azarenka collapsed in the first set of her match with Gisela Dulko - Murray was delighted to get through in straight sets against the world number 71.<br /> </p><p><br /> "I managed to get through in straight sets so I'm pleased, but it was a lot tougher than the score suggests," Murray said.<br /> </p><p><br /> "Everyone in my box always tells me it's a lot tougher watching in the heat than playing but I'm not so sure. It was brutal conditions."<br /> </p><p><br /> And there was more good news for Murray as Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych, the seventh seed and a potentially tough quarter-final opponent, was beaten in straight sets by France's Michael Llodra.<br /> </p>
