Wimbledon: Andy Murray beats Agut in straight sets

DEFENDING champion Andy Murray has won 6-2 6-3 6-2 against Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round at Wimbledon.

Andy Murray in action against Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut. Picture: PA

Having allowed matches to become unnecessarily long and complicated at the French Open, Murray has been determined to keep his foot firmly on the accelerator pedal here.

And after only eight minutes of the third set he was already 3-0 up, breaking the Bautista Agut serve for a sixth time with a sweetly-struck backhand.

Murray has cut the calm and authoritative figure befitting a defending champion, celebrating each step forward with understated fist pumps.

There was another one when he made it five games in a row, only for Murray to then double fault twice to hand his opponent a second break.

Just for a moment it looked like Bautista Agut might get the set back on serve but Murray stamped out the danger with some more big serving.

There were plenty of highlights to delight the evening crowd on Centre, not least an impudent backhand winner that brought up a first match point.

That went begging, as did two more, but on the fourth chance Bautista Agut put a forehand long, Murray wrapping up a thoroughly convincing win after an hour and 36 minutes.