Murray cruises into fourth round

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:15

When the British number one takes to the court against Fernando Verdasco on Monday it will be just the second time he has made it beyond the third round in Melbourne.

“I am playing really well at the moment,” Murray said. “My concentration was very good. You saw at end when he loosened up he hit some unbelievable shots that can make it difficult. But once I got on top I kept my focus well, especially in the second set and the beginning of the third.”

The crowd were certainly backing the 21-year-old. As Murray walked on to the court in the Hisense Arena a huge cheer erupted.

And when chants of “There’s only one Andy Murray” rang out during the warm-up, they produced a small smile from the world number four.

But it was straight down to business thereafter as he looked to extend his winning run against Melzer, whom he had beaten on three previous occasions prior to Saturday’s match.

After a tight first set, Murray simply did not give the 31st seed a sniff, conceding just three further games – all in the final set.

He had too much power for the Austrian, whose 30 unforced errors were testament to the pressure he was put under.

Murray faces in-form Verdasco next after the Spaniard clinched his place in the last 16 with an equally convincing 6-4 6-0 6-0 win over Radek Stepanek.

“That will be a tough match.” Murray added. “He is very flashy, he has a big forehand and cross-court backhand. He is a lefty which makes it tricky as well, but I’m feeling confident. I’ve played well against him in the past and my record against lefties is very good.”

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