Andy Murray must beware of Roger Federer's new quick trick at the US Open... the half-volley return of serve

• Andy Murray recovered to beat Adrian Mannarino 5-7 4-6 6-1 6-3 6-1 in sweltering conditions at Flushing Meadows
• The Scot could very much use a quick match on Saturday night against Brazilian left-hander Thomaz Belluci
• With the possibility of a tough quarter final against Stan Wawrinka before any Roger Federer meeting, Murray does not want another marathon
• Many in New York are talking about Federer's new shot which he has created at the US Open: the almost half-volley return of serve

By Mike Dickson for the Daily Mail

Published: 16:31 EST, 4 September 2015 | Updated: 19:48 EST, 4 September 2015

Roger Federer took his six-year-old twin daughters Charlene and Myla to the Metropolitan Museum of Art here this week, to look at its current China exhibition.

Many in New York are also talking about Federer's own work of genius, one that he has created at the US Open: his new, almost half-volley return of serve that has been working to devastating effect.

The tactic — moving to within a few feet of the centre service line to receive then charging the net — has helped him need just two hours and 37 minutes to get through the first two rounds. He has lost only nine games, while his prospective semi-final opponent Andy Murray has already taken six hours in the sapping heat to progress, for the loss of three sets.

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Andy Murray (right) and coach Jonas Bjorkman share a joke during a practice session on Friday

Following Thursday night's exertions vs Adrian Mannarino, Murray slightly shortened his practice on Friday

Murray attempted to hit fitness coach Matt Little as he practiced his serves, much to the Scot's amusement

After being taken to five by Adrian Mannarino the Scot could very much use a quick match on Saturday night against Brazilian left-hander Thomaz Belluci, the world No 30, whom he plays in the late match on Arthur Ashe stadium starting around 2am UK time.

Following Thursday night's exertions Murray slightly shortened his practice on Friday. He was planning an afternoon nap to try to subdue a heavy head cold that has had him coughing and affected numerous people at the crowded, air-conditioned virus factory that is Flushing Meadows.

His fellow British survivor, Jo Konta, said she pulled up well after her record-breaking three hour and 22 minute upset of world No 9 Garbine Muguruza. Konta now faces 18th seed Andrea Petkovic of Germany at 4pm UK time.

The remarkable Federer, who faces another German in Philipp Kohlschreiber, says some of his peers find his new tactic 'pretty funny' — providing they are not on the receiving end of it.

Little returned a serve with a backhand slice after the 28-year-old played a more gentle shot towards him

Murray planned an afternoon nap on Friday to try to subdue a heavy head cold that has had him coughing

At 34, his ability to breeze through early rounds is key to having a sustained run at the tournament, and disposing of lesser opponents is something he has always been ruthlessly efficient at. We await to see what toll Murray's early labours have taken on him.

He actually looked reasonably fresh at the end of his match versus Mannarino, so the effects of the cold do not appear too bad. And as he pointed out later, he has to be very careful about anything he takes to combat it.

'The only thing I've taken is Vitamin C,' he said. 'The doctors that are here and part of the Tour can prescribe you stuff that's fine. But there's no real cure. Hopefully it takes three or four days before it's out the system. It's survival of the fittest.'

Murray needs to be careful with world number 30 Bellucci, who is the last lefthander to beat him not named Rafael Nadal.

 Despite his illness Murray (right) looked to be in good spirits with the two members of his team (left)

The Scot could very much use a quick match on Saturday night against Brazilian left-hander Thomaz Belluci

Remarkably that was all the way back in Madrid in May 2011, which shows just how good the Scot has been against southpaws. The match in Spain was on clay at slight altitude, but on hard courts at sea level over five sets a repeat is unlikely.

With the possibility of a horrendously tough quarter final against Stan Wawrinka before any Federer meeting, Murray does not want another marathon.

For world No 97 Konta this will be the first time in a Grand Slam third round, and while Petkovic is solid and consistently beats players ranked below her she does not have the special ballstriking ability possessed by Muguruza.

Murray recovered to beat Mannarino 5-7 4-6 6-1 6-3 6-1 in sweltering conditions at Flushing Meadows

And anything seems possible in a turbulent women's event. Prior to Serena Williams playing last night, seven of the world's top ten had been beaten in the first two rounds, the only other two making the last 32 being Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova.

This will be world No 97 Konta's first time in a Grand Slam third round and while Petkovic is solid and consistently beats players ranked below her, she does not have the special ball-striking ability possessed by Muguruza.

Anything now seems possible in New York in this turbulent women's event.

Prior to Serena Williams playing last night, seven of the world's top 10 had been beaten in the first two rounds, the only other two making the last 32 being Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova.

With the possibility of a tough quarter final against Stan Wawrinka, Murray does not want another marathon

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