Murray eases past Clement

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:20

The British number one proved too strong for experienced Frenchman Clement, wrapping up a 6-2 6-3 win in less than 90 minutes, with his serve particularly effective.

There was also no sign of the ankle injury that forced Murray to pull out of the Open 13 in Marseille last week and affected him in his first-round win over Sergiy Stakhovsky on Monday.

Murray always seemed to just have the edge and he moved into a 5-2 lead with a second break of serve. The Scot, bidding for his third ATP Tour title of the season, was serving particularly well and his seventh ace brought up two set points, of which he needed only one.

Despite the scoreline, Clement had not been outclassed in the first set and he began the second in determined fashion.

However, Murray held firm on serve and the Frenchman found himself an early break down again as the world number four moved into a 2-1 lead.

Clement was simply making too many mistakes to really pressure his opponent, but it was a touch of class which earned Murray another service hold – a superb backhand drop-shot giving Clement no chance.

By now the 31-year-old knew the game was up and Murray earned two more break points in the fifth game, although this time Clement held firm.

It was a brief reprieve, however, the Scot easily holding his own serve and setting up a first match point on the Clement serve at 3-5.

The Frenchman saved that with an ace but a searing forehand return brought up a second and another forehand winner saw Murray seal victory.

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