• Australian Open, Day Four

Murray cruises past Roger-Vasselin

ESPN staff
January 19, 2012
Andy Murray's movement around the court was excellent in his win over Edouard Roger-Vasselin © Getty Images
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Andy Murray continued his impressive start to the Australian Open with a convincing 6-1 6-4 6-4 win over Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

The British No. 1 felt his way into the tournament with a workmanlike win over Ryan Harrison in the first round and built on that display to dispose of an admittedly limited Roger-Vasselin in straight sets.

The temperature was down on the past couple of days and it appeared to suit Murray who roared through the opening set and did enough to secure a single break in the next two sets to seal his passage to a third-round clash with Michael Llodra.

Murray had never before faced his French opponent, but wasted no time in sizing him up and a weak backhand from Roger-Vasselin handed the Brit an early break.

Roger-Vasselin, the 13th best player in France, was overwhelmed by Murray's movement and range of shots in the opening set and a double break of serve was secured.

A reeling Roger-Vasselin took 21 minutes to get on the scoreboard, avoiding the bagel in the process, but a confident Murray served out to take the set 120 seconds later.

Roger-Vasselin came out slightly more positive in the second, he could scarcely have been worse, and held his opening service game. But Murray seemed to have a read on his opponent's intentions and secured a break for 2-1 with a supreme forehand down the line.

The solitary break of serve was enough for Murray to coast into a two-set lead as he was rock solid on serve.

Roger-Vasselin showed flashes of quality in the match and a love hold at the start of the third gave Murray something to ponder.

He worked a break point in the following Murray service game. The Frenchman showed his court craft by sucking Murray in with an exchange of drop shots before claiming the point of the match with a deft flick down the line - a shot that prompted a fist pump and a glare towards Murray.

If the glare was intended to intimidate Murray it did the opposite, as he dug himself out of trouble by powering down five aces in total in the game to stave off the threat.

Roger-Vasselin hit with more authority in the third set, but was always vulnerable to the greater quality of Murray and he secured a break to lead 4-3.

Murray was kept honest by Roger-Vasselin who held in the ninth game to force the No. 4 seed to serve out but on the back of a first-serve winner percentage of 85% he did so without alarm to wrap up the victory in two hours.

He will now face Michael Llodra of France after he got the better of Alex Bogomolov Jr in a gruelling five-setter. Llodra showed his staying power by notching a 6-1 6-3 4-6 5-7 6-4 victory.

Murray's brother Jamie failed to keep the family flag flying high as he and partner Paul Hanley were beaten 7-6(2) 4-6 7-6(5) by Julian Knowle and Michael Kohlmann.

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