Andy Murray powered into the last 32 of the Australian Open for a seventh year in a row after a straight-sets win over home favourite Marinko Matosevic.
The British No.1 made short work of his frequent practise partner and left the Margaret Court Arena after 1 hour and 42 minutes a 6-1 6-3 6-2 winner.
Murray, who has now never lost to an Australian in ten attempts, plays world No.55 Joao Sousa of Portugal in the next round.
Head 2 Head:
| Match-up |
Times Played |
Winner |
Most Recent Result |
| Murray v Sousa |
3 |
Murray x 3 |
AM 6-3, 6-4 Acapulco 2014 |
(View full draw)
Following on from dispatching Yuki Bhambri in the first round, Murray started like a train and was 5-0 up in 14 minutes.
Matosevic improved as the match went on but his 49th error on match point handed Murray the win.
Murray said: “I started extremely well today, he improved as the match went on and there were some closer games in the second and third sets that could have gone either way.
“I was timing the ball well on the return and serving well from the beginning of the match, and it helped a lot because obviously the crowd were behind him.
“I really enjoyed it even if not everyone was supporting me. I'm pumped to be into the third round. Thankfully it was quite quick because it was warm out there.”
Doubles:
Jamie Murray & John Peers by Getty Images
Older brother Jamie also enjoyed victory on the third day of the tournament, overcoming Argentinian doubles pair Maximo Gonzalez and Juan Monaco 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-4 with Aussie partner John Peers.
After the match, Murray said: “I think really we should have won the second set. I think we had more than enough chances to do it.
“Last year we lost a lot of matches where we went off and didn't really see it over the finish line. I think for me personally I had that in the back of the mind. Just happy that we got through in the end.”
Dom Inglot & Florin Mergea by Getty Images
Elsewhere, 14th seeds Dom Inglot and Romanian Florin Mergea got off to a positive start by comfortably beating Matthew Ebden and Matt Reid 6-2, 6-2.
Jonny Marray, Wimbledon doubles champion in 2012, will not be in the next round though after losing with Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-4, 7-6(6) to Pablo Cuevas and David Marrero.
(View full draw)
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