Andy Murray, aiming to end his heartbreak run at the Australian Open, overcame India's Yuki Bhambri in his opening match Monday to set up a second-round encounter with volatile local Marinko Matosevic.
Murray, who is bidding to become the first player to win the Australian Open title after losing three finals in Melbourne, kicked off this year's campaign with a straight sets win.
The Scot emerged a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) winner in 2hr 13min on Margaret Court Arena, but paid tribute to former junior world number one Bhambri, who is getting the finishing touches at the famed Nick Bollettieri Academy in Florida.
While the 22-year-old Indian was the lowest-ranked player in the men's draw at 317, Murray was effusive about his future prospects.
"I thought it was a tricky match. He played very close to the baseline on that court," Murray said.
"He was coming forward a lot. Even when I was hitting good returns, he was changing the direction of the ball very quickly and coming to the net.
"He played well up at the net. He had good hands, solid volleys and made it tough."
Murray added that Bhambri was "way better than ranked 300 in the world."
"He missed five or six months last year through injury. I would imagine by the end of this year he would definitely be around a hundred in the world, if he stays injury-free," he said.
Murray, who has been working for the last seven months with two-time Grand Slam winner and coach Amelie Mauresmo, was pleased with the state of his game ahead of his next challenge against the unpredictable Matosevic before a home crowd.
"I'll try and use some variety to throw his timing off a little bit. Just continue doing what I've been doing the last few weeks," Murray said of his next match.
"I've been playing very well in the practices and striking the ball cleanly in the matches. If I keep that up, I'll keep getting better each round.
"I thought I was a little bit slow on the first shot of each rally. Once I got into the rallies I was moving good. That will get better.
"I know Marinko very well. I get on well with him. He's a good ball striker," he added.
"Big guy. Serves well. He works extremely hard. He has a good work ethic. Yeah, be a fun match."
Murray has a difficult draw at this year's Open and is on course to meet Roger Federer in the quarter-finals in the bottom half of the draw with Nadal potentially awaiting him in the last four.
He could also face world number 11 Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round.
Source: AFP
