Ruthless Murray Romps to Opening Success

Andy Murray began life after Brad Gilbert with a convincing 6-0, 6-2 win over Olivier Rochus in the first round of the Qatar Open in Doha.

The British No1 split with the American in November and has since set about assembling a team of coaches and advisors as he bids to return to the world's top 10 after an injury-ravaged 2007. But any fears the upheaval could have a negative impact on his form were dispelled by a clinical display in Murray's first match of the new season.

Seeded three in a tournament in which he reached the final last year, Murray was immediately into his stride and forced the Belgian to stave off three break points in the opening game before finally converting a fourth. The Scot consolidated his advantage before breaking again for a 3-0 lead, and a double fault from Rochus to clinch Murray's third straight break summed up the Belgian's disastrous start. Murray, currently ranked 11th, held serve to love to seal the first set in just 25 minutes.

The arrival of the second set did not bring an end to Rochus's woe as he again conceded serve in the first game - sealing his fate with a double fault. Almost inevitably a second break followed immediately as the first meeting between the pair continued to be embarrassingly one-sided.

Rochus avoided the ignominy of a whitewash by claiming the fifth game of the set and then, out of nowhere, hauled himself back into contention by breaking Murray for 4-2. However, Murray immediately re-established a double break and served out for victory in 78 minutes.

Murray will now play the winner of today's match between Rainer Schuettler and Andrei Pavel in the last 16.