Murray motors through at a canter in Melbourne

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:52

Andy Murray dropped just four games as he booked a place in the second round of the Australian Open, beating South African qualifier Kevin Anderson 6-1 6-1 6-2.

The No.5 seed was given an easy passage as his 6’8” opponent appeared to let the occasion get to him as his serve deserted him for long periods in the match.

Murray had worried about nerves ahead of the match himself, played under the roof on the Rod Laver Arena as the rain fell in Melbourne.

“It was a little bit weird playing under the roof here but I enjoyed it,” said Murray.

“Kevin did not drop his serve all the way through qualifying and, with his height, it is obviously a weapon,” he added. “It was a tough first round for me. I was a little bit nervous at the start but I broke him straight away which was important.”

In truth the Scot was seldom stretched out of his comfort zone and, despite looking less than fluent on his own serve, cruised to victory in one hour 40 minutes.

Elsewhere, Andy Roddick was left less than impressed when a collision with a line judge ‘pinched’ his knee during a routine 6-1 6-4 6-4 win over Thiemo de Bakker.

17 aces from the Dutchman were not enough to stay in touch with the four-time semi-finalist in Melbourne, but a worrying trip in the first set was the big talking point after the match.

“I ran into one of those immovable objects called a referee,” said the American afterwards. “He wasn’t giving up any ground. I didn’t see him. He wasn’t really trying to do much to get out of the way.

“Normally they see a player running full speed, they decide to at least move or catch the player.”

US Open champ Juan Martin del Potro needed four sets to beat American Michael Russell 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-2, doing the sore wrist that forced him out of the Kooyong Classic no favours.

“I don’t feel a 100%, but I am better than yesterday, and I hope to be better for Wednesday in my next match,” he said.

“After two hours of the match the pain came and I did feel a little bit, but I can play.”

No.11 seed Fernando Gonzalez also went through in four after a 6-3 6-4 3-6 6-1 win over Belgium’s Olivier Rochus.

But No.13 seed Radek Stepanek is out after losing 2-6 7-6(5) 6-4 3-6 6-4 to unseeded Croatian Ivo Karlovic.

Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here