Former world primary Andy Murray didn’t want any marathon match heroics on Saturday as he eased into the third spherical at Indian Wells along with his first straight units victory of 2023.
Murray defeated fortunate loser Radu Albot of Moldova 6-4, 6-3 — the one hour, 42 minute affair in stark distinction to Murray’s earlier victories this yr that included a five-setter lasting five-plus hours in the second spherical of the Australian Open.
The escape artist exploits continued final month in Doha, the place Murray received 4 three-set matches, overcoming eight match factors on the way in which to the ultimate, the place he fell to Daniil Medvedev.
He wanted greater than three hours to win his Indian Wells opener over Thomas Etcheverry in three units.
Murray, 35, stated the faster win over Albot would pay dividends because the week progresses.
“You know, if you happen to’ve had a shorter match, there’s in all probability much less aches and pains, so it’s simpler to sleep,” he stated.
“The day off as well becomes probably a bit more productive, because there is just less fatigue, less soreness from the match.
“So (I am) probably able to practice at a slightly higher intensity and practice more specific things, whereas yesterday I just really hit a few balls, and that was it.
“Even this morning when I got up I was still a bit fatigued when I got up, bit of soreness in the lower back and things, which I would imagine by Monday that won’t be there.”
That’s a superb signal for a mouth-watering third-round conflict with fellow Briton Jack Draper, a 6-4, 6-2 winner over one more Brit, Daniel Evans.
Despite a profession that features three Grand Slam titles and two Olympic gold medals, Murray stated he felt nervous throughout Saturday’s match.
“I’m undecided precisely why,” he said. “Maybe I felt like it was a good opportunity for me and that the draw had opened up slightly.
“And obviously I wanted to try and finish the match quickly.”
The recipe for getting these faster wins is easy, Murray stated.
“Playing higher offers you the possibility to win matches faster,” he said.
“I do know that being seeded in tournaments and having a higher ranking means that you’re generally playing players that are not quite as good as you, so if you go on the court and finish well then you finish the matches a bit quicker.
“Whereas for me, that has not been the case. Hopefully I can keep pushing myself up the rankings, keep building that confidence and maybe get a few more straightforward draws as well.”
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