• Australian Open - Day Five

Andy Murray continues flawless path to the fourth round

Andy Murray lets out a trademark roar after seeing off Florent Serra © Getty Images

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Third round in pictures

Andy Murray is yet to drop a set in this year's Australian Open after he cruised through his third-round clash with Florent Serra 7-5 6-1 6-4.

The British No.1 was forced to come through a testing opening set against the Frenchman, ranked 64 in the world, losing his serve on two occasions before fighting back to claim the advantage. Murray turned on the style thereafter though, giving Serra a nightmare on his own serve to match his career best performance at the Australian Open.

Friday's encounter did not begin well for Murray, who is eyeing 2010 as the year to finally land that elusive maiden Grand Slam title. Having been broken just twice in his opening two matches, Serra doubled that tally in the first set alone.

"The first set was a bit closer than it needed to be," admitted Murray. "I had chances to go 4-0, didn't take them, and he started to get into it a little bit. But to win in straight sets is really important."

Murray may very well prove to be his own biggest enemy in this tournament, seemingly dropping into a first-set malaise that offered Serra encouragement. His own unforced errors were key to that troublesome start, and it appeared that the world No.5 needed his opponent's fight-back to inspire his best form.

In stark contrast to the opening exchanges, Murray stormed through the second set and then broke Serra's first two service games in the third, effectively ending the contest. He now faces the big-serving John Isner in round four, after the American beat 12th seed Gael Monfils 6-1 4-6 7-6(4) 7-6(5).

"Isner won last week and beat (Andy) Roddick at the US Open," said Murray of his next opponent. "He gives guys a lot of problems. He's 6ft 9in with a huge serve."

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