Murray Breezes Into Second Round

Andy Murray cruised into the Second Round of the Australian Open with a simple 6-1 6-1 6-3 victory over Japanese qualifier Go Soeda.

As temperatures lingered around 42 degrees centigrade Murray was in no mood to hang around, dispatching his opponent in just 87 minutes.

After playing only three matches since the US Open there were question marks over how the Scot would emerge when tested, especially after losses to both Florian Mayer and Lleyton Hewitt during tournament preparation.

However, he showed few signs of rustiness after the back surgery which kept him out of the last few months of 2013, moving freely around the court and serving particularly well, firing 12 aces during the match.

Murray took control of the opening games, breaking Soeda in his second service game to take a 2-1 lead. Soeda struggled to penetrate the Scot's defence making a number of unforced errors in the process as Murray went on to take the first set 6-1.

The second set continued in much the same fashion, the game consisting largely of short baselines rallies with neither player overly keen on excessive movement in the heat. Murray broke early once again to dampen his opponents hopes as Soeda failed to earn a break point of his own throughout the match.

Targeting his opponents significantly weaker backhand, Murray finished the set off quickly, breaking him once again to claim the second set 6-1.

The scorching humidity finally began to take its toll as Murray endured a slight loss of tempo at the start of the third set. Coupled with a determined Soeda, the set remains on serve until 3-3 when the Japanese defence finally crumbled, Murray breaking to take a 4-3 advantage.

At that point Soeda looked a beaten man, dropping his shoulders as he waited for the inevitable. Luckily he did not have to wait long as Murray broke him for the final time to claim the last set 6-3.

Murray is the final British representative in the singles at the Australian Open after the first round exits of both Laura Robson and Heather Watson yesterday.

In the second round he will face another qualifier, this time in the shape of Frenchman Vincent Millot who won a marathon five setter against Wayne Odesnik.

Published on SEaT Capital.