Murray too strong for Golubev
Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:58
The 22-year-old took just 61 minutes to sweep aside the world’s 133rd ranked player 6-2 6-2.
Playing his first match of the new year as he begins his preparations for the Australian Open later this month, it was a case of easing himself back into action for the world number four, who is partnering teenager Laura Robson in the mixed teams event this week.
Robson lost her opening rubber to Yaroslava Shvedova 4-6 6-3 6-0 to give Kazakhstan, the lowest ranked team at the tournament, an early advantage – but Murray’s win means the tie will go to a live mixed doubles.
Murray was quickly on course for victory, breaking Golubev in the fourth game when he ran down a drop shot and passed his opponent with a flicked winner across court.
The Scot never looked like releasing that advantage as he conceded just one point on his serve in the opening set before breaking again to clinch it in 28 minutes.
It was more of the same at the start of the second set as Murray won his opening service game to love before Golubev double-faulted to hand him an immediate break.
Murray has spent the past three weeks in Miami undergoing an intensive training regime as he attempts to break his grand-slam duck, and there were signs it will stand him in good stead as he chased down anything Golubev could throw at him.
The Scot showed impressive speed to reach another Golubev drop shot and raised the cheers of the crowd with an unlikely winner down the line.
But apart from that there was little reason for Murray to raise a sweat as Golubev conceded the match with a double-fault.
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