Nadal, Murray gain in different ways

In essence, every result at the U.S. Open is a partial score at this point.

Defending champion Rafael Nadal advanced Friday without having to play a full match, and fourth-seeded Andy Murray -- generally considered among the tournament favorites -- barely got through a five-set, knock-down, drag-out bout that took almost 3½ hours.

But it was just the second round, and the bottom line was good enough for both of them.

Nadal was leading 6-2, 6-2 against Frenchman Nicolas Mahut, the world's 99th-ranked player, who already had proved he can play forever against John Isner at Wimbledon a year ago, when Mahut retired with an abdominal injury.

Murray, on the other hand, had to scramble for a 6-7 (5), 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, 6-4 decision over Dutchman Robin Haase, ranked 41st.

Championship tennis? At this point, neither Nadal nor Murray is any more assured of a title than 2009 Open champ Juan Martin del Potro, a 6-2, 6-1, 7-5 winner over Argentine colleague Diego Junqueira, or Isner, a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 winner over fellow American Robby Ginepri, or Spain's David Ferrer, who knocked out American James Blake, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, or Andy Roddick, who bounced 18-year-old Jack Sock, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.

But no less assured, either.

"The people remember the last day when you are with the trophy, when you play fantastic the final,'' Nadal said. "But to arrive [at that] moment is not everything a way of roses, no?

"You don't play fantastic every match and every moment. And last year, I didn't. I improved a little bit every day last year to win the tournament playing very well, and that's what happened thousands of times.

"We will see if I am ready to improve. I improved a little bit . . . I'm happy for that. We'll see next round.''

Murray, too, was able to be optimistic, despite his sluggish start, because he's still here.

"It happens sometimes,'' he said. "The guy I played is a very tough player and, you know, Novak [Djokovic], last year in the first round here, nearly went out to a similar sort of player before eventually finishing as runner-up to Nadal.

"If I play like that, I'm not going to win the tournament,'' Murray said. "But I'm glad I'm in the next round and get a chance to improve and play better and give myself a chance.''

Because it's not over.