Off-form Andy Murray makes progress

Published on Tuesday 16 March 2010 22:20

ANDY Murray reached the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells yesterday despite looking far from his best.

Fourth seed Murray, who defeated Andreas Seppi of Italy on Sunday after receiving a first-round bye, again struggled with his service against world No 68 Michael Russell but eased through the third-round clash 6-3, 7-5. The 22-year-old from Dunblane will now play either Nicolas Almagro or James Blake in the next round. Seeking to go one better than in 2009 and win the prestigious California event for a 15th career triumph, Murray appeared unable to find his rhythm against Russell and again looked below par.

Murray broke in the American's first service game, but his own delivery was floundering with a first-serve percentage at a paltry 40 per cent after three service games. However, Murray's trademark tenacity and ingenuity around the court saw him leading 4-2.

He then broke Russell in the ninth game to take the first set in 40 minutes with something to spare. Murray, at 6ft 3in, was playing an opponent conceding seven inches in height but a few Russell ground strokes did trouble the Scot, particularly a fizzing backhand return in the opening game of the second set.

But Murray held serve, broke Russell comfortably in the next game and fought a break-back point before eventually going 3-0 up. The feisty American did hold serve in the next game and, although he went 4-1 ahead, Murray's rhythm with his own delivery was still suspect.

Russell made it 4-2, but Murray moved within sight of victory by holding serve for the eighth time. But Russell was scampering around the court in determined fashion and secured a first break as Murray was attempting to close out the match to bring the second set back on serve.

But the Briton earned two match points in Russell's next service game and needed only one of them to earn a straight-sets win in one hour 52 minutes.

"He made it difficult for me," admitted Murray. "He hits a solid ball from the back of the court, he plays very close to the baseline and obviously he's very quick. He's got a great attitude, fights really hard and made it difficult."

Murray was happy with his display early in the match and attributed his second-set difficulties to Russell's spirit.

"I started really well, I was up in the second set, I was doing quite a bit of running, the wind picked up a lot and he started making me move," Murray added. "At the start of the match it was me dictating the way the points were going and I wanted to try to finish the points a little bit early. He just played well, made it difficult for me, that's why I was frustrated. There were a lot of long rallies there and he definitely pushed me."