Murray admits he must improve at Flushing Meadows

 ANDY Murray is only too aware he must make significant improvements at Flushing Meadows if he is to lift his maiden grand slam at the US Open.

 NO REGRETS: Andy Murray insists he cannot allow himself to leave Flushing Meadows rueing what might have been

Firstly, Murray must deal with the USA's Taylor Dent, who has battled his way back to 195th in the world, having been on the sidelines for two years after back surgery.

Dent, who was ranked 21st in the world, before injury struck was told there was a good chance he would never play again, but he delighted the Flushing Meadows faithful with his five-set victory over Spain's Ivan Navarro in round two to book a clash with Murray.

The Scot was sluggish at times in his second round victory over Chile's Paul Capdeville and dropped the second set, before completing a routine four-set win.

And with world number one Roger Federer in formidable form and bidding for a 16th grand slam, coupled with the return to fitness of Rafael Nadal, the second seed concedes he must raise his game if he is to break his grand slam duck in New York.

"There's a long time until the next grand slam so I need to make sure I don't have any regrets here and I'm going to have to play better than I have in the first two rounds if I want to win," he said.

"Coming here as the second seed I know I have a chance of winning it and while I was a bit lethargic against Capdeville I did play three good sets and I need to focus on the positives.

"I like the conditions here - it's nice and quick and I enjoy playing on the centre court.

"Dent has just come back from back surgery but he's playing well and I'm sure he'll be back in the top 100 soon - there'll be no pressure on him.

"He could come out and play some inspired tennis so I must make sure I'm ready."

Dent, a big-serving American, admits that he has no idea how he will fare against Murray, but insists he will not go down without a fight.

"I really don't know how I will get on against Murray but I can guarantee that even if I go down 6-0, 6-0, 6-0, I'll go down fighting for every point," he said.

"My execution isn't at the level I would like it to be at so I'm just going to have to rely on grit and determination out there - we'll see if that will be enough."