Andy Murray thrashes Troicki

Andy Murray marched into the second week of Wimbledon, with a consummate 6-2 6-3 6-4 victory over Viktor Troicki, in front of yet another packed Centre Court audience. The Scot had produced magnificent tennis in his second round encounter with Ernests Gulbis, a display which had further enhanced his claim to the title. However, he didn't need to be anywhere near his sharpest to etch out his twelfth victory in fifteen matches at the All-England club, but it was impressive nonetheless.

Troicki was playing on Centre Court for the first time, and unfortunately for the Serb, the fact was glaringly obvious. His unorthodox service motion was restricting his effectiveness on his own serve, with Troicki committing a catalogue of double faults. The thirtieth seed was also looking tense in the other aspects of his game, and Murray exploited it with surgical precision, floating slice after slice to an increasingly despondent Troicki who continued to misfire. Murray broke to lead 4-2 in the first set and then pounced again to seal the double break and the set.

The British number one looked untouchable on his service games, showing a lethal mix of pace and variation. Murray was broken twice all week at Queen's Club, and has brought his formidable serving rhythm through to nearby SW19.

Murray was never in danger, and it showed in his relaxed, effortless nature of play. There was an overwhelming sense that the world number three could simply break at will, a dangerous sign indeed for the others in the draw as the tournament enters its latter phases.

Signs of rainfall were the only hindrance to Murray as he blazed through set three. As the court maintenance team gathered at the side, bedecked in green, Murray accelerated his play, firing down ace after ace to confirm the win, in rapid fashion.

The third seed will face Stanislas Wawrinka in the last sixteen. Wawrinka is a close friend of Murray, and is a technically astute player, but feels most comfortable on slower surfaces. Murray turned in one of his best performances in 2008 against the Swiss, dismantling him in straight sets at the US Open.

With Murray cutting through the draw with an iron fist, who would bet against a similar scoreline when they meet on Monday?