Murray v Harrison Match Report

Andy Murray got his Australian open campaign off to a shaky start eventually overcoming American teenager Ryan Harrison on the Hisense Arena. Watched by new coach Ivan Lendl, Murray never really hit top form, as he battled to record a 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory in a gruelling 3 hours 12 minutes.

World number 72 Harrison was quickest out of the blocks, as Murray looked vulnerable giving his opponent too many looks at a weak second serve. Harrison showed his talents of big baseline hitting and safe hands at the net helping him secure a double break before wrapping up the first set in 51 minutes.

Murray was quick to break in the second finally converting one of the longest games of the match. The Brit then took control, as errors crept into Harrison’s game allowing the match to be levelled at a set a piece. A tricky third saw the single break enough as a gutsy Harrison kept fighting but Murray was comfortable in seeing out the match. He later said “I had a few nerves early on but I started to play better towards the end." He will hope to improve for a second round tie with Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

Tuesday also saw a dominant performance from defending champion Novak Djokovic with the loss of just 2 games against Paolo Lorenzi of Italy. Jo Wilfred Tsonga and David Ferrer are also safely though while home favourite Lleyton Hewitt set up a tie with big serving American Andy Roddick.