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Murray eases into last 16 in Cincinnati

Andy Murray saw off Joao Sousa 6-3 6-3 © Getty Images

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Andy Murray kicked off his Cincinnati Masters bid with a comfortable straight sets win against Joao Sousa to move into the last 16.

The British No.1, searching for a first title since winning Wimbledon last year, eased through with a 6-3 6-3 victory.

He next faces big-hitting American John Isner after he saw off Australian Marinko Matosevic 6-3 7-6(1).

"I got the win and that's the most important thing," said Murray, who was knocked out of the Rogers Cup at the quarter-finals stage by eventual champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Toronto last week.

"It's very different conditions here this week and a lot of the guys are struggling to control the ball, so I was happy to come through. It's a good start."

Roger Federer needed two hours to beat Vasek Pospisil 7-6(4) 7-5 6-2. After two tight first sets, Federer took control of the match in the middle of the third, breaking the Canadian twice in a row.

The win saw Federer reach another milestone, becoming the first player to record 300 victories at Masters 1000 level.

"The Masters 1000s are the backbone of the tour," said Federer. "I know a lot of people talk about the grand slams; we care dearly about them, but the majority of the tournaments are Masters 1000s, 500s or 250s.

"We have a certain obligation to play the 1000s, and I think that's why they're so popular, that's why the people show up because they know that the best players will most likely play. I have a few exempts because I've been on tour for a very long time so I don't have to always play, but I choose to because they're very prestigious and I love playing them, so I'm happy I'm here."

British No.2 James Ward was beaten 6-2 6-2 by Julien Benneteau, who next faces Jerzy Janowicz after he shocked Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 3-6 6-3.

Wimbledon semi-finalist Milos Raonic made light work of American wildcard Robby Ginepri, winning 6-2 6-2, and next faces another wildcard in Steve Johnson, who stunned ninth-seed Ernests Gulbis 6-4 6-4.

Tommy Robredo, seeded 16th, made light work of American Sam Querrey 6-2 6-4 to set up a last-16 tie with Novak Djokovic, who needed three sets to get past Gilles Simon.

David Ferrer was also taken the distance before getting past Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-7(4) 7-6(4) 7-6(4). The Spaniard now takes on Mikhail Youzhny, who saw off Andrea Seppi 6-3 6-4.

Elsewhere, Fabio Fognini beat Lleyton Hewitt 6-1 6-4, Tomas Berdych was upset 3-6 6-3 6-4 by Yen-Hsun Lu, while Marin Cilic needed two tie-breaks to see off Fernando Verdasco 7-6(6) 7-6(5) and faces Stan Wawrinka in the next round.

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