Andy Murray looked every bit the World No.1 one as he gave Russian teenager Andrey Rublev a lesson in grand slam tennis to reach the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-3 6-0 6-2 win.
The British tennis player Andy Murray. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Only a nasty tumble in the third set on Rod Laver Arena stalled his march to victory and the top-seeded Briton said the right ankle he rolled on was "a bit sore" at the end of the contest.
"I don't know how bad it is," said the 29-year-old. "Just normally if it's something like severe, a serious ankle injury, you can't put weight on your foot.
"It just a little bit stiff just now. It's okay. I don't think I've done too much damage. See in the morning how it feels when I wake up. But hopefully it will be all right."
Five-times a losing finalist at Melbourne Park, Murray had laboured through his opening round victory over Illya Marchenko in the full heat of the opening day of the tournament.
Last night's performance was of a far higher calibre.
The Wimbledon and Olympic champion was in clinical form, smashing 29 winners and ensuring that the 19-year-old Rublev was unable to get a single break point on his serve.
"It was better than the first match. I was hitting the ball a bit cleaner. I was hitting through the court more. More winners," said Murray.
"I was able to get myself up to the net more. I served way better, too. That helps you and allows you to dictate more points.
"Second serve was harder than the other day. Yeah, most things were better tonight. But still think I can improve."
Several times, he delighted the crowd with a series of deft shots that sent the Russian qualifier scurrying around the court before delivering a crunching winner that brooked no reply.
Rublev, the son of a one-time boxer, spent Tuesday sparring in a Fight Club gym and Murray, also a fight fan, suggested the teenager was not quite yet up to competing in the heavyweight division, in tennis at least.
"I think in comparison with some of the guys that are his age, physically he's going to get stronger," he said.
"I still think he's got some developing to do there. When he does, I think he'll do really well because he hits a big ball. He's a clean ball-striker. "
The final time Murray sent the world number 156 running around the court brought up match point, which Murray converted when the qualifier went long after one hour, 37 minutes .
Next up for Murray in the third round on Friday is American Sam Querrey.
"He's obviously a dangerous player," said the Scot. "Big serve. Goes for it. Obviously had a big win a couple slams ago against Novak (Djokovic) in the third round (at Wimbledon).
"I'm aware of that, and I'll be ready."
The women's World No.1 Angelique Kerber dropped a set against fellow German Carina before advancing in three sets.
The defending champion overcame a mid-match meltdown on her 29th birthday to progress.
Kerber needed two hours and eight minutes to see off the staunch challenge from Witthoeft and win 6-2 6-7 (3-7) 6-2.
"I'm 29 and getting older but I think I will have a great day," said Kerber, who was serenaded with a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday by the crowd at Rod Laver Arena.
"It's a completely new situation for me (being the defending champion) but I think that I'm dealing with it very well and enjoying it," said Kerber, who will play either No.27 seed Irina-Camelia Begu from Romania or Czech Kristyna Pliskova in the round of 32.
Roger Federer dug himself out of a late slump to fend off American qualifier Noah Rubin 7-5 6-3 7-6(3) and draw vital confidence for a tough third round clash against 10th seed Tomas Berdych.
The 17-times grand slam champion, still finding his feet after a six-month break, had to save two set points and rally from 5-2 down in the third before closing out a galvanising win on a breezy afternoon at Rod Laver Arena.
Rubin, a 20-year-old baseline hustler with a big serve and powerful forehand, played above his 200th ranking and Federer doffed his cap to the Long Island native.
But the Swiss master said he would need to play better against big-hitting Berdych, despite winning their last five meetings, including a comfortable quarter-final victory at Melbourne Park last year.
"He's caused difficulties for me in the past on faster courts: Cincinnati, New York, Wimbledon, Olympics in Athens," said Federer, whose 17th seeding ensured a demanding path to the second week.
"I know what he's got. I don't need to tell you where he's beaten me."
Men's fourth seed Stanislas Wawrinka cruised past American Steve Johnson in straight sets.
Australia number one Nick Kyrgios blew a two-set lead and failed to convert a fifth-set match point before slumping out of his home grand slam with a 1-6 6-7(1) 6-4 6-2 10-8 defeat at the hands of Andreas Seppi.
The experienced Italian saved the match point with a sizzling forehand down the line and his 16th ace sealed the upset of the 14th seed at the end of a three-hour thriller.
"Maybe it was meant to be?" said Seppi, who blew a similar lead to Kyrgios on the same court in the fourth round two years ago.
"I couldn't find my rhythm at the start, but I kept fighting and I played very well in the important moments in the end."
Kyrgios, returning to tennis at the Australian Open after a ban for not trying at the Shanghai Masters ended his 2016 season, can only rue a big chance blown.
Looking fit, determined and committed, the 21-year-old had appeared to be coasting to victory in the third set of his contest against the 32-year-old on Hisense Arena.
Three New Zealanders are through to the second round of the men's doubles, with Artem Sitak, Michael Venus and Marcus Daniell all winning their respective first round matches.
-Reuters/RNZ
