Andy Murray put in a much improved performance at the BNP Paribas Open today, leading Nicolas Almagro 6-2, 1-0 before the Spaniard was forced to retire with an ankle injury.
Almagro had the better of the opening exchanges, breaking Murray to take a 2-1 lead. This seemed to finally knock the Scot out of his post-Australian Open malaise, as he upped his level and cantered through the next four games. From a position of strength, Almagro suddenly found himself serving to stay in the set. Predictably he crumbled and the Scot was one set to love up in under 30 minutes.
Murray held easily in the first game of the second set, but by now Almagro was facing a potential hiding and retired, citing an ankle injury.
Next up is Robin Soderling in the Quarter Finals.
