MIAMI (Reuters) — Defending champion Andy
Murray and 17-times grand slam winner Roger Federer sizzled under a
Miami sun, speeding into the fourth round of the Sony Open on Sunday
with convincing straight sets wins.
Federer, twice a winner on the Miami hardcourts, needed just 62
minutes on a sweltering center court to dispose of Dutch qualifier
Thiemo De Bakker 6-3 6-3 while Murray appeared to be adjusting just
fine to life without coach Ivan Lendl, easing past Spain's Feliciano
Lopez 6-4 6-1.
After getting the defense of his Sony Open title off to a shaky
start with a three-sets win over Matthew Ebden on Friday, Wimbledon
champion Murray was more in command against Lopez improving his
record to 9-0 against the Spaniard in just 73 minutes.
"It's not always that easy to feel comfortable against him because
there is not loads of rhythm with the way he plays," said the sixth
seeded Scotsman. "But I moved well; returned well.
"It was obviously a more comfortable score line than the other day."
Murray has been in the Miami spotlight for more than his play this
week after announcing he had ended his successful partnership with
Lendl, who helped steer him to a pair of grand slam titles and an
Olympic gold medal.
Lendl, who maintains a Florida residence, was in the stand catching
some of the Sunday match, leading Murray to joke that the two men
were renewing their partnership.
Seven of Murray's previous eight matches had gone three sets but the
Briton, who has a Miami residence, made sure he would spend as
little time as possible under a punishing sun, breaking Lopez three
times in the second set, sweeping the last four games.
"It was really hot. I don't know how hot it was but when we came
over at like 9:30 it was already 80 Fahrenheit (27 Celsius) and it
was extremely humid," said Murray. "I have played a few matches here
where it's been very, very hot but it doesn't always stay like this
for a few days in a row in March.
"It's not easy conditions."
A resurgent Federer has shown that he is coming to grips with a new
larger racquet, a change that the Swiss had resisted.
But Federer has seen improved results with the racquet, collecting
his 78th career title in Dubai in February and reaching the final in
Indian Wells to move back into the top five of the world rankings.
"I think it (the racquet) just gives me easier power, especially
on the first serve," said Federer. "And I think as time now goes by,
I'm getting a better feel for how is the ball going to react, you
know, how much spin do I need to put on to stay really accurate and
put it really close to the line.
"But then again this wasn't Andre Agassi on the other side, or
Djokovic. It's just important for me to keep that up and remind
myself it's going well so far."
In other third round action, Frenchmen Richard Gasquet and
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga advanced in contrasting fashion.
The ninth seeded Gasquet had easy passage beating 17th seeded South
African Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-4 while 11th seeded Tsonga rallied for
a 4-6 7-6(6) 7-5 win over Cypriot wildcard Marcos Baghdatis.
Spaniard Tommy Robredo, the 16th seed, advanced with a 6-3 6-4 win
over Frenchman Julien Benneteau.
