• ATP World Tour Finals

Murray underlines his intent by outclassing Soderling

Andy Murray returned the ball superbly © Getty Images

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Andy Murray signalled his intent to snatch back the world No. 4 spot by racing past Robin Soderling in his first match at the ATP World Tour Finals.

Having been knocked off his perch this week after Soderling won the Paris Masters, a wounded Murray issued a stirring response by racing to a 6-2 6-4 triumph.

In a clash between two players with contrasting styles - the aggressive Soderling doing battle with counter-puncher Murray - it was the Scot who used his more nuanced game to the greater effect.

This was most in evidence during a one-sided first set, as Murray showed his tactical acumen by dismantling the Soderling second serve. The home favourite struggled to make any impression against the first delivery - but when the Swede erred he was lethal, winning eight of the nine points contested when the pace was off the ball.

With Murray returning so effectively, breaks of serve were inevitable - he picked up two - and he was equally dominant behind his own serve, giving away just six points as he never threatened to relinquish the lead.

Given the fact he'd won the last two meetings between the players, it was no surprise when Soderling rallied at the start of the second set. The Swede - winner of more indoor matches than anyone else in 2010 - found a foothold in the match in the early stages of the second frame, before Murray seized a crucial break at 3-3.

Although the 23-year-old has had a tendency to slip to disastrous lapses this season, he closed out the clash with ruthless intent that bodes well for his chances of progression in the tournament.

"It's important to get off to a good start in this competition, and I managed to hit some big passing shots," Murray told Sky Sports. "There were a lot of long rallies and I used the slice pretty well, a lot of drop shots which worked well."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.