No sweat for Murray

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:05

The world number four already looked well on the way to victory, leading 6-0 2-1, when Bolelli decided to call it a day after struggling with what appeared to be a shoulder problem.

Playing competitively for the first time since last month’s Davis Cup defeat by Austria, Murray showed no signs of rustiness against lucky loser Bolelli as he blitzed his opponent straight from the off.

Bolelli did not create a single break point in the first set and had to face eight on his own serve.

He managed to save five of those, but the other three went in favour of Murray, who took the set while barely needing to break sweat.

It looked to be an identical story in the second set as Murray held his serve and then fashioned three more break points in Bolelli’s first service game.

Bolelli, who upset world number 17 Nicolas Almagro in the first round having only gained entry to the tournament after Marat Safin withdrew through injury, managed to stave off Murray on that occasion, but it was becoming clear he was struggling fitness-wise.

Having received treatment on his shoulder he then lost the third game of the set to Murray before retiring from the match.

The Scotsman will now face Marin Cilic in the third round after the Croatian dumped out 13th seed Fernando Verdasco of Spain 6-2 6-3 earlier on Tuesday.

Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here