• London 2012 - Tennis

Impressive Murray disposes of Nieminen

Andy Murray was not hard pushed to win on Centre Court © PA Photos

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Andy Murray continued his efficient progression in the Olympics singles with a demolition of Jarkko Nieminen to reach the third round.

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After negotiating his way past a potential banana skin that was Stanislas Wawrinka in the first round, the Brit crushed his Finnish opponent 6-2 6-4.

Those fans familiar, and those who are unfamiliar, with Wimbledon were treated to the roof being over Centre Court as the heavens opened shortly before Murray was due on court.

The British No. 1 has proved his liking for the playing under the roof in the last few weeks and he settled quickly, breaking serve in the opening game. Nieminen got on the board in the third game, but Murray broke again in the fifth for a 4-1 lead and he wrapped up the set in 26 minutes.

Nieminen was a little like a startled rabbit as Murray broke at the start of the second set and from that moment it proved nothing more than an afternoon hit for the Brit as he dominated the rallies from the back of the court without exerting himself in the slightest.

Nieminen showed some heart by saving a match point with an ace and forced Murray to serve out. The Finn did not wilt and ended up in the crowd at one stage chasing a ball down, but Murray simply had too many weapons.

Up next for Murray is Marcos Baghdatis who claimed a 6-4 6-4 win over Richard Gasquet.

Novak Djokovic is a potential semi-final opponent for Murray and the Serbian threw down his own marker with a demolition of Andy Roddick. The American is no longer the force of old, and this could be his final appearance at the All England Club, where he was comprehensively outclassed by Djokovic who raced to a 6-3 6-1 success.

Laura Robson's campaign is over after she was beaten by Maria Sharapova. The Russian was always expected to have too much power for the Brit, who was defeated 7-6 (5) 6-3.

Heather Watson is also out after she was beaten 6-3 6-2 by Maria Kirilenko. Watson was the last girl standing in the women's competition, but she could not handle her rival's power.

Elsewhere, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga emerged victorious from a marathon match against Milos Raonic, winning 6-3 3-6 25-23. The pair set records for the most games played in a singles match (best of three sets only) at an Olympics, and the most games in a set in any Olympics match.

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