Murray cruises past fitful Seppi
Date published :
14 Mar 2010 - 22:21:30
Andy Murray came through the second round of the BNP Paribas Open with a comfortable 6-4 6-4 win over Italy's Andreas Seppi in Indian Wells.After his surprise defeat to Russian Igor Kunitsyn last time out, Murray looked more focused as he eased past his inconsistent Italian opponent.
After a hesitant start the world number four's serve improved and a solitary break in the decider proved enough.
Murray will play either USA's Michael Russell or Russia's Igor Andreev next.
"It was testing conditions but hopefully I can play better in the next round," he said.
Murray won in straights and never looked like dropping a set incrediblealdo "I thought after the first three or four service games I began to serve big. But I was leaving my backhand in the middle of the court and he began to dominate points.
"But I won in straight sets so that is obviously good."
Both players looked out of sorts at the start as Murray moved 2-1 up off the back of three consecutive breaks of serve.
The Scot registered two straight-sets victory over Seppi last year and soon had his opponent chasing as he asserted his authority.
He was foiled in his first attempt to serve out but two aces, the first that was allowed to stand despite a hint of a net cord, saw him across the finish line in the tenth game.
Seppi showed resolve to stay to clamber back from 0-30 down in the third game of the second, but a deep return from Murray forced a break-point in the seventh.
The Italian appeared in control of the subsequent rally but planted a routine backhand volley between the tramlines.
Seppi continued to produce occasional eye-catching winners from the back of the court but they never looked frequent enough to wrestle a break back from Murray.
Murray will face a new challenge in the next round having never played either of his potential opponents.
The competition's ninth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France also made efficient progress as he overcame Australia's Marinko Matosevic 6-1 6-3.
There was more of a contest on Court Six where Spain's Nicolas Almagro claimed a 7-5 7-5 (7-5) victory over Serbian 23rd seed Ivo Karlovic.
Elsewhere 27th seed Marcos Baghdatis beat France's Arnaud Clement 7-6 (9-7) 6-1 while world number 36 Janko Tipsarevic retired hurt from his match against Thiemo De Bakker.
The Dutchman, who is ranked 44 places below Tipsarevic, was 3-2 up when his opponent dropped out.
