The Scot second seed, a four-time finalist who has never held up the trophy, nullified any imagined threat from Sam Groth 6-0, 6-4, 6-1, with the burly Aussie rolling his ankle for good measure in the third set to ensure Murray clear passage.
“I had a bad serving day against the number two player in the world, that’s probably not going to cut it,” Groth said. “If I don’t serve well against a guy, I’m in a bit of trouble.”
Murray has made a career out of spoiling hometown scenarios at the four majors and has only lost once – to Frenchman Gael Monfils – when playing a local player at a home grand slam.
“I returned well and he didn’t start serving so well, that helped. My return put pressure on him, I passed and lobbed well, that’s what I needed to get the win.”
The 28-year-old admitted to being on edge with pregnant wife baçk in London due to give birth in February. He said a telephone call from hotel room service initially got his nerves jangling for fear it was his wife Kim ringing.
Source: GNA
