• Rome Masters

Murray struggles past Malisse

Andy Murray was made to work hard for his victory © PA Photos

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Rome Masters Seedings

Andy Murray battled into the third round of the Rome Masters with a hard-fought victory over Xavier Malisse.

The British No. 1 struggled to maintain his concentration as he needed the best part of two hours to claim a 6-2 2-6 6-3 win.

Murray looked to be on course for a routine victory after taking the opening set, but he was pegged back by the Belgian. But a crucial early break in the decider put Murray in command and the fourth seed held his nerve to seal his progress, clinching the match with an ace.

The Scot will now meet either Viktor Troicki or Potito Starace in the third round at the Foro Italico.

Robin Soderling survived a scare as he was forced save three match points before beating Fernando Verdasco 2-6 7-5 6-4. The world No. 5 was on the back foot for much of the match, but despite winning fewer points than his opponent, the Swede held his nerve to claim the victory after a collapse by the Spaniard.

There was no such trouble for Richard Gasquet, who blazed past Igor Andreev in a little over an hour to set up a potential third-round clash against Roger Federer. Gasquet needed just 62 minutes to defeat the Russian qualifier 6-1 6-2, and now awaits either Federer or fellow Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Also through to the third round is seventh seed Tomas Berdych, who strolled to a routine 6-2 6-2 victory over Juan Monaco.

In the day's first round action, Marin Cilic won the battle of the Croatians, with the world No. 23 in charge at 6-4 1-0 when Ivo Karlovic retired with back pain. Another player to retire was Kevin Anderson, who was 7-6(1) 1-0 down to Sam Querrey when he offered his hand.

Nicolas Almagro has been in fine form in recent weeks and the No. 9 seed came through his first-round clash with Simone Bolelli 6-0 7-5. Big-serving American John Isner did not find the clay to his liking as he went down 6-4 6-1 to Juan Ignacio Chela.

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