Date:16/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/16/stories/2007101656092100.htm

Sport

Murray too good for Stepanek

MADRID: Andy Murray fired 22 winners as he dominated Radek Stepanek 6-4, 6-1 in just 62 minutes to power into the second round of the Madrid Masters on Monday.

The unseeded Briton, due to speak with ATP officials this week after remarks he made last week in Moscow, moved into a match with Argentine 15th seed Juan Chela.

Murray now stands 2-0 over Czech Stepanek, whom he also defeated at Wimbledon two years ago in straight sets.

The Scot, watched by his mother and first coach Judy, broke to claim the opening set in 34 minutes and then applied the pressure on the way to victory.

The winner, ranked 19th to the 25th of Stepanek, struck six aces and converted on three of 14 break point chances.

Murray was joined in the second round by American qualifier Robby Ginepri, the World No. 72 who defeated Jurgen Melzer 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-4.

Ginepri earned himself the toughest test in tennis as he runs up against Roger Federer in the next round.

The Swiss is playing on the ATP for the first time since lifting a fourth consecutive U.S. Open six weeks ago and failing in a bid to help Switzerland out of Davis Cup danger in a relegation match to the Czech Republic.

Argentines Juan Monaco and Juan Del Potro advanced, while Austria’s Stefan Koubek beat Jarkko Nieminen 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 after the Finn looked to be lifting his game with a Stockholm quarterfinal last Friday.

The results: First round: Juan Monaco bt Igor Andreev 6-7 (5), 6-0, 6-4; Robby Ginepri bt Jurgen Melzer 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-4; Stefan Koubek bt Jarkko Nieminen 6-3, 3-6, 6-4; Juan Del Potro bt Potito Starace 7-5, 6-1; Andy Murray bt Radek Stepanek 6-4, 6-1.

Zurich Open: Fir st round: Nicole Vaidisova bt Katarina Srebotnik 6-4, 6-2. — Agencies