Andy Murray progresses in Australian Open
Andy Murray sweeps past Michael Llodra to move into the fourth round of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
The fourth seed booked his place in the second week of the year’s first major tournament with a 6-4 6-2 6-0 third round win over the Frenchman in what was an enjoyable encounter.
The Scot won a number of thrilling points and, judging by the reaction of the sell-out crowd, earned himself some new fans in the process.
He hugged Llodra after outwitting him in one exchange and, when interviewed on court at the end of the match, Murray said: “Every point seemed to be a fun point. It was a fun tennis match, which isn`t normal at a Grand Slam.
“I had great support and it was packed from the first point to the last. I`m really enjoying myself.
“That was my style tonight. I hope everyone enjoyed it.”
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With the crowd appreciative of his performance, Murray even found time to joke about how he plans to spend the rest of the weekend, adding: “I’m going to go out and get hammered!”
Elsewhere Novak Djokovic is hoping a routine first week at the Australian Open will have conserved his energy levels as he looks to retain his title in Melbourne.
The Serbian has dropped just 10 games in advancing through to the fourth round with his latest victory an embarrassingly one-sided 6-0 6-1 6-1 victory over Nicolas Mahut.
Djokovic beat Andy Murray in last year’s final of the Australian Open.
