ANDY Murray continued his recent run of fine form on clay as he enjoyed a 6-4 6-3 win over Jeremy Chardy in the second round of the Rome Masters.
British number one Murray only decided to play in the Rome tournament at the last minute having won back-to-back tournaments at the Munich Open and the Madrid Masters where he stunned ‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2 in Sunday’s final.
Spain’s Nadal was himself back to winning ways as he began his quest for an eighth title in Rome with a 6-2 6-0 win over Turkey’s Marsel Ilhan in 74 minutes.
Nadal will meet John Isner in the last 16 after the American also progressed following a 7-6(6) 6-4 win against Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer. The American served 11 aces and did not face any break points in the match.
Murray showed little signs of fatigue as he proved too powerful for French player Chardy despite being forced to confront nine matches in 11 days in picking up the titles in Munich and Madrid.
Murray was once seen sporting his wedding ring tied around his shoelaces.
“I won’t lose it if it’s tied to my shoelace,” Murray told Sky Sport Italia. “As soon as the match is over I put it back on. If I’d keep it in my bag I’d have lost it already.”
Murray, who married Kim Sears last month, faced two break points in the sixth game of the opening set as Chardy tried to create another early upset after knocking out Roger Federer in the same round here 12 months ago.
But Murray held on to breeze through the rest of the match by outfoxing Chardy with his touch, powerful serve and backhand dropshots.
“I felt a little tired at the start but my condition got better as the match went on,” added Murray, who had never won a claycourt title until his recent golden run.
“I’m a little surprised with my clay results. I hope to keep it up (my form) until Roland Garros.”
World number three Murray believes matches at the Foro Italico will boost his preparations ahead of the French Open at Roland Garros which begins a week on Sunday.
The Scotsman – who was granted a bye in the first round – moves to 10 matches unbeaten on clay, and justifies his odds of 9-1 third favourite behind Novak Djokovic and Nadal to claim the French Open.
Murray will meet Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or David Goffin in the last 16.
Second-seed Roger Federer avoided a repeat of his second round defeat to Jeremy Chardy in Rome last year by defeating Pablo Cuevas 7-6(3), 6-4 in the second round on Wednesday.
Federer has never won the Rome title but started his latest campaign with eight aces, facing no break points as he defeated the World No. 24. Federer will face No. 15 seed Kevin Anderson in the third round.