• Rome Masters

Murray returns to form with dominant win in Rome

Andy Murray produced a much-improved showing © Getty Images

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Andy Murray ended his dismal run of form by defeating Andreas Seppi 6-2 6-4 in the first round at the Rome Masters. Although the Scot was rarely tested, he struck the ball crisply and served with power and accuracy during a solid all-round showing.

World No. 5 Murray, who exited each of his last two events at the earliest stage, came into the contest hoping to avoid his fourth straight defeat.

The 22-year-old had been in defiant mood in the run-up to the tournament, insisting that there were no deep-set flaws in his game - instead, he had not been fully-focused mentally.

That being so, he would have hoped for a less taxing second-round assignment in Rome. He knew that the crowd would be fervently behind his Italian opponent - and that he had only ever won one match on the three previous occasions he's competed at the tournament.

If he felt discomforted by his surroundings, then Murray didn't show it during the first set. Looking far more assured on clay than he has done in the past, he navigated the court fluidly and struck the ball cleanly on his way to claiming two breaks.

Although Seppi aided Murray's cause by gifting him several points with unforced errors, the Scot was certainly playing better than he had in recent times. A confident Murray was the aggressor in the contest, working neat angles before unleashing ferocious forehands that were unreachable for his opponent. Perhaps more importantly given his recent mental malaise, he seemed focused and determined - letting out several of his trademark clenched-fist roars.

Murray put one foot in the next round at the start of the second set by claiming a break in the first game. This blow demoralised Seppi - who has not enjoyed the most successful 2010 himself - as he struggled to impose his will on the match. Instead of being buoyed by home support, the Italian continued to look tense as he regularly blasted the ball beyond the tramlines.

At 4-2 up, Murray was coasting to victory - Seppi had neither the confidence nor the ball-striking to disrupt his service game. Murray's first serve - which had been such a hindrance at Monte Carlo - was venomous and well-placed throughout, and so it was fitting that he closed the game out with an ace. He will next face Potito Starace, David Ferrer or Evgeny Korolev.

"I served really well when I needed to," Murray said to Sky Sports. "There were a couple of things I could have done better but, for a first round, I'm happy. Everyone's been saying 'what's gone wrong?' but all that's happened is that I've played a couple of bad tournaments. I went away, got my mind right, and everything went well today."

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