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[allyh84]

Andy Murray struggled into the second round of the Australian Open earlier this morning, battling past both Ryan Harrison and the brutal heat of Hisense Arena.

Murray came through 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 against the buoyant Harrison, who looks to be another prospect on the conveyor belt of young, American talent.

It was the 19-year-old Harrison who made the first impression, chasing every ball as if it were his last. He swarmed over any loose ends coming his way and, going against his lower ranking, clinched the first break as Murray struggled to live with Harrison’s power at the net.

Harrison, buoyed by an enthusiastic crowd, began to settle and let his sumptuous volleys do the talking. Murray wilted in the stifling heat and was soon another break down.

Serving for the set at 5-3, Harrison’s inexperience reared its head and he suffered a case of the jitters. A double fault and another error from the American afforded Murray a way back in.

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Extinguishing two set points in the following game, Murray held, though it would only be a vain act of defiance. Harrison served out with a finely tuned radar and kissed the lines numerous times with a barrage of vicious groundstrokes.

Surely Harrison’s plucky endeavour in such heat would limit him in the end, though. Both men struggled with conditions in the second set, yet it was Murray, the favourite, who tasted his victim’s blood first. The spirited Harrison netted while in all kinds of trouble to hand Murray a 3-1 lead.

Murray began, finally, to relax a little, hitting accurately and serving with aplomb. However, Harrison, determined to succeed, attacked at will but was left powerless after a series of errors handed Murray the second set 6-2.

Harrison’s immense power and crushing forehands are, of course, all well and good but like so many before him, he struggled to cope with Murray’s endless variety. The Scot began to raise his level in the third.

An inventive stop-volley and Harrison’s misjudgement handed Murray a break in the first game, which he duly converted afterwards to lead 2-0.

Indeed, Harrison careered towards a murky path during the third set. He frequently yelled into the humid air after dumping shots into the net but, to his credit, managed to wriggle away from break points in consecutive service games.

Harrison could, however, do nothing about Murray’s stern demeanour when serving out. A miraculous, athletic volley at the net and Harrison’s wild backhand mistake gave the Scot, 24, the set.

As the fourth set began both men carved out break points, sensing this was the time to attack. Two netted backhands saw Harrison lose a break, though, and go 3-1 down. If only his play had been as impressive as his racket smash soon afterwards.

Inevitably enough, Murray’s volleys were dynamic here and nullified his opponent’s brute force throughout the set. His deft hands paid off during the fourth and he rarely encountered danger, serving out with authority to win the set 6-2, deservedly taking the match with it.

It was not a walk in the park by any stretch of the imagination. Harrison left Murray flummoxed in the opening exchanges, with the higher ranked player, Murray, looking hot and bothered in more ways than one.

Murray did escape adversity admirably though, and imposed his gameplan of moving his opponent into tricky spots. Harrison, quite frankly, couldn’t live with him in the end.

[LIBANY]

 Well done Andy ! it was a great match, Harrison vill be a great player next years .

[blueberryhill]

Heat scorching,
Nerves jangling
Youngster booming
Andy winning.
The end.

[jdonald]

This was always going to be a tough match, with all the reports stating he was a rising star.

Well done Andy, good to have the first match in the heat, also a lot of pressure on him since he a finalist .

Keep going

[syc23]

Thanks to another Murray rollercoaster, I only got 1 hour sleep    Thought about having a few hours kip from 11am and setting the alarm off at 3am but was so excited and agitated waiting I couldn't drift off (probably would've slept through anyway).

Rusedski made a very good point about Andy not playing particularly well as opposed to the last 2 years in the first round and would rather if he played better gradually into the tournament which is how the top 3 go about their business anyway. Here's hoping Andy is more business like dispatching his next opponent before the fun starts against Llodra/monfils/Tsonga/Dokovic.

[Aileen]

Thanks for the exellent report, Alistair.

I have to say that watching both players grind this match out over four sets in such stifling heat (90F I believe) did not make for pleasurable viewing, and I think Andy was perhaps a little unfortunate in having to play such a tough opponent for his first round match, and that in such energy-sapping conditions.  However, a win is a win, and first round matches tend to be nervy affairs at the best of times, so well done Andy. 

One encouraging sign was the reduction of the outbursts of frustration which have long characterised Andy's matches.  Yes there were a few mutterings, but his overall control of his emotions was admirable.  Ivan, it seems, is already having some positive effect.

[iamabritt]

Well done Andy,he had a good test and lendl will now be able to see what needs a litttle tweek.Harrison played well but good enough.

[penelopypitstop]

Unfortunately I was unable to see the match. Which aspects of AndyM`s game worked and which didn`t?
Aileen, thats excellent news as when he had an emotional outburst his focus wasn`t on his game.
I have to say when I saw the draw I was dissappointed and would rather have seen him in the other half with RNadal, the way RNadal has been playing of late AndyM could take him in 5. Here`s hoping Andy gets evening slots in the next round, cooler for AndyM and easier viewing time for me!