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Andy Murray has said women should play five-set matches, like men, in Grand Slam tournaments, wading into the row over equal prize money in tennis.

As he prepared for the US Open fourth round, the defending champion, 26, said players such as Steffi Graf showed women could perform well over more than three sets.

He said prize money wasn’t itself a source of complaint, but matches should be equal, adding: “It’s not like women cannot play five sets.”

Such is his desire for equality, Murray had invited Serena Williams, to play but she said he would beat her “in five minutes”.