Andy Murray into Australian Open second round
Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Andy Murray began his Australian Open campaign with a swift straight-sets win over Robin Haase in Melbourne.
The British number one eased to a 6-3 6-1 6-3 victory in just one hour and 37 minutes.
Haase took Murray to five sets at the 2011 US Open, but any thoughts the Dutchman might extend him similarly this time were quickly blown away.
Two early breaks of serve set the tone and the world number three was rarely troubled on his way to setting up a second-round tie with Joao Sousa of Portugal.
Murray, the US Open champion, is trying to become the first man to follow up his maiden Grand Slam title with another major win.
Asked if he felt different walking onto court as a Grand Slam champion, Murray said: "Not really, it didn't feel much different to me. I was still nervous before I went on to the play the match.
"I think when I would see the benefits of it is if I get myself deep into a Slam this year and you're playing against the top players. That's when I think you'll draw on that experience and use it in the right way."
Scheduled first on Rod Laver Arena for his opening match, the Scot took full advantage by getting the job done before a predicted hot afternoon in Melbourne.
Murray, 25, began to turn the screw as early as the third game, winning the kind of long and punishing rally that is the foundation of his game, before drawing a wild volley from Haase to break.
The advantage extended to 4-1 soon after, and when Murray then saw off five break points with some big serving, the set was as good as his.
A wayward drop shot gifted back one of the breaks, and possibly gave watching coach Ivan Lendl something to discuss in the post-match debrief, but otherwise it was plain sailing.
Murray rolled through the second set in 26 minutes, working his man relentlessly from side to side, and broke to love at the start of the third with a backhand winner down the line.
One final lapse allowed Haase a second service break of the match but it hardly detained Murray, who broke for the eighth time to secure the win.
"I started the year well in Brisbane but obviously coming into the Slams, the first match is normally pretty tough," added the Scot.
"There are nerves in the build-up. You've just got to try and focus and play solid, not make too many silly mistakes. I did a good job of that today. It's always nice to get through the first round of a tournament, but especially here."
Murray is the only British man left in the draw after world number 246 Jamie Baker lost 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 6-2 to Lukas Rosol, the Czech who beat Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon last year.
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2007 "he'll never have what it takes to make top10"
2008 "he'll never have the talent to compete in slams"
2009 "he'll never have the mental strength to beat the top 3"
2010 "he'll never beat the top 3 over 5 sets"
2011 "he'll never make it to regular finals"
2012 "he'll never win a grand slam final"
2013 "he'll never win multiple slams"
You know the type......quiet, shy and socially withdrawn......wouldn't dare speak out in a public for fear drawing attention to their inadequacy.
But give them the anonymity of a BBC forum...................
Well done, we're all rooting for you.
All of a sudden? 4 slam finals, 6 semis and in world top 4 for last 3 years and Olympic Champion before winning the US title. All of a sudden? where you been boy?
I feel comments on these threads should remain about the tennis, just ignore the other rubbish and it will go away.
i don't think its typical, everyone here seems to know that Vishal is making a fairly pathetic attempt to annoy people, he can't seriously believe what he saying. If he does then its a wonder he knows how to type
Andy's first real hurdle is Del Potro - who he tends to beat, but is always dangerous because he has what it takes.
One match at a time...if he doesn't win the title, he'll be like every other slam winner in history - never having won the slam following their debut. No shame in that.
So the Punjab and his friends are at large again...
As Mr Sousa said on this page
- Murray is one of the best players in the world
- And weaknesses? I don't know if he has it, but I'll try to find it.
(or your other name)
@5. Vishal
Do you not get bored spouting drivel about something you clearly know nothing about?
Stick to the Man U forums. They cater for your sort there.
"Murray is not a genius.......far from it. Hed be embarassed to hear that"
According to Johnathan Swift he is, to quote him:
"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him"
He competes fiercely with likes of djokovic and federer and sometimes comes out on top. You can't do that unless you really are one of the very best in the world with a phenomenal amount of mental strength, talent and courage.
Murrays weak forehand in this match reminded me of a frail old lady trying to swot a fly.
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You should give him some tips on how to strengthen his wrists, I'm sure you have had a lot of experience of the kind of exercise required.
From reading your posts I would guess that your wrists are the girth of Chris Hoys thighs, well one of them anyways :-)
That is some high quality trolling, the big question is have you played your best stuff too early on in the tournament? Can you maintain that sort of form through the next two weeks?
I mean c'mon you've already burnt through 'Henman & Fordham-esque'!
Too early?
Wow, a random person on the internet stating that they are almost never wrong... I shall believe you, oh person of indeterminable status.
Guess what - I'm a good judge of people who have nothing useful or constructive to say... I don't think much of you.
You guys crack me up. Brightens up a boring day, even if you are utterly clueless.
Ha ha, aww bless you really are sweet, the best trolls are subtal in their trolling, still I like a good laugh at work so thanks for that.
Seriusly, I think this is as good a start as he has made at the Aus.