Wednesday January 16, 2013

Federer and Murray in cruise control at Open

I have done it: Andy Murray reacts after defeating Robin Haase during their men’s singles match on the second day of the Australian Open Tuesday. Murray won 6-3, 6- 1, 6-3. — AFP

AUSTRALIAN OPEN
MELBOURNE PARK, MELBOURNE (Jan 14-27)

LEADING contenders Roger Federer and Andy Murray were fast out of the blocks with straight-sets victories in their opening matches at the Australian Open yesterday.

Federer, the record 17-time Grand Slam champion and chasing his fifth Australian title, made light work of his first outing of 2013 with a three-set demolition of Frenchman Benoit Paire.

Third seed Murray was equally impressive in clinically dismantling Dutchman Robin Haase, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 to progress safely to the second round.

Elsewhere, as temperatures climbed on the second day of the year-opening major, 2008 finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won an all-French contest in straight sets over Michael Llodra, while big-serving Canadian 13th seed Milos Raonic took four sets to oust Jan Hajek.

Second seed Federer showed few signs of rustiness in his first match of the year as he demolished the 46th-ranked Paire 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 in one hour 23 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

The 31-year-old Swiss maestro gave Paire little respite with six service breaks, while his own serve was rock-solid with no breaks conceded.

There was little Paire could do to stop the cascade of winners off the racquet of Federer, who is bidding to become only the second man after Australia’s Roy Emerson to win five Australian Open titles.

“I’m very happy with the first round match, total control,” Federer said.

“He can be a tricky opponent, but I guess his playing style doesn’t disturb me that much overall.

“I’m happy I was able to play a clean match out there today.”

Murray was authoritative in his first match in Melbourne, needing just 1hr 37min to take apart the erratic Haase with eight service breaks and making just 20 unforced errors in the 25 games.

Much has changed in Murray’s life since his career-transforming victory over world number one Novak Djokovic in last year’s US Open final, and he is among the favourites at the year’s opening Major tournament.

Murray said he didn’t notice anything significantly different in his first Grand Slam match since his Flushing Meadows triumph last September, but that it would steel him should he make the final rounds of the Australian Open.

“I think when I would see the benefits of that is if I get myself deep into a Slam this year and you’re playing against the top players. That’s when I think you’ll draw on that experience and use it in the right way,” he said.

Murray, 25, has twice been runner-up at the Australian Open. He is drawn to face Federer in the semi-finals and possibly defending champion Djokovic in the final.

“It was a good start and it was nice to win in straight sets, it was the hottest day of the tournament so far,” Murray said.

“It took a little while to get used to that and the court was playing much quicker and bouncier because of it.”

It’s been 12 months since Murray started working with eight-time Major winner Ivan Lendl, and he attributes much of the success in his breakthrough 2012 to his partnership with his new coach.

It’s relaxed “in front of the cameras,” Murray joked.

“Behind closed doors he works me very hard ... he tells you exactly how it is and that’s exactly what I needed.”

Tsonga beat compatriot Llodra 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in one hour 46 minutes on Hisense Arena, while Raonic clocked a fastest serve of 199 kph (158 mph) in his 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 (7-0) win over Czech Hajek. — AFP

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Wednesday January 16, 2013

Federer and Murray in cruise control at Open