Murray back on form to beat Nalbandian

Andy Murray overcame a difficult first set to ease to victory last night, winning nine out of the last ten games as he beat David Nalbandian 6-4, 6-1 in the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

The 24-year-old Scot endured a jittery start, going 3-1 down, in his first singles match since his miserable defeat by Kevin Anderson in Montreal last week.

However, he remained composed and, despite the Argentine appearing on the verge of hitting back early on in the second set, Murray again imposed himself to move into the third round.

The world No 4’s serve had deserted him in Canada last week and yesterday he experienced a repeat, double faulting on the second point and Nalbandian eventually breaking with a blistering return.

The 2002 Wimbledon finalist also had problems, producing four double faults in his opening service game and handing Murray five break points, none of which he capitalised upon as Nalbandian went 2-0 up.

Murray won his first game when Nalbandian hit a forehand wide but he again failed to take advantage of two further break points as the Argentine took a 3-1 lead.

The Dunblane-born player held to love with a dominant service game and then brought up two break points, Nalbandian going long on the second as Murray broke back.

Murray was allowing the world No 66 to be the aggressor and a perfectly-judged forehand, which on appeal just clipped the line, gave Nalbandian an immediate break for 4-3.

Again the match swung with Nalbandian putting a return wide for the third successive break as Murray drew level and then held for 5-4.

A mis-hit that looped beyond the baseline gave Murray three set points. The first he put narrowly wide with a cross-court shot, and on the second Nalbandian produced a fearsome serve, but the Argentine put the ball into the net to hand Murray the set.

Murray was in total control, taking a 2-0 lead as he won five games in a row, but Nalbandian hit back to reduce the deficit.

A couple of wild swipes, though, gave Murray his fifth consecutive break and then he held to love for 4-1.

Murray was producing some sublime shots, a whipped cross-court forehand bringing up break point with Nalbandian then going wide for 5-1.

Murray brought up match point with an ace with Nalbandian then netting for what was ultimately a clear win.

Meanwhile, Serena Williams pulled out the women’s event in Cincinnati yesterday with a right toe injury that gives the former world No 1 a chance to rest ahead of the US Open. Williams says the injury is not serious.