Tennis: Murray marches on in Cincinnati Masters

Aug 21 2009 by Stephen Robertson, Stirling Observer Friday

ANDY Murray got the defence of his Cincinnati Masters title off to a good start earlier this week with a solid win over Spain’s Nicolas Almagro.

Murray (right) came through his second round match safely 7-6 6-2 out in Ohio on Wednesday – having previously been handed a first round bye.

The new tennis world number two – officially confirmed this week – was pegged back by Almagro in what became a tight opening set. But as has happened so often of late, Murray again seemed to find just that little bit extra when he needed it to take the tie-break and went on to power to victory in the second.

He now faces Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic for a place in the quarter-finals.

Murray was set to go head-to-head with Stepanek – ranked 17 in the world – as the Observer went to press yesterday. If good enough to secure the win, he would then face Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez or Julien Benneteau of France

Meanwhile, in Italy, there was a real reversal of fortunes for Jamie Murray, taking part in the Trani Cup doubles alongside Jamie Delgado. The British duo roared to the semi-finals courtesy of a straight sets win, 6-1 6-4, over top seeds Rohan Bopanna and Frank Moser.