Brilliant Murray Strolls Into Last 16 After Mauling Melzer

Andy Murray reached the last 16 of the Australian Open for the second time in three years with a 7-5, 6-0, 6-3 victory over Austria's Jürgen Melzer, and once again he finds a Spanish left-hander blocking his path to the quarter-finals. In 2007 it was Rafa Nadal and Murray perished. This time it is Fernando Verdasco, an extremely good player in his own right, but one who has never beaten the Scot in five previous attempts.

Murray and Melzer had played each other three times last year, with Murray winning the lot, though his third-round match at the US Open might easily have slid out of his grasp after the Austrian had taken a two-sets-lead, and was two points away from victory in the third set tie-break. Murray accepted that he was a little fortunate to escape before going on to reach his first slam final, and rising to No4 in the world.

Melzer, seeded 31, knew he could not afford to let Murray have the initiative, coming to the net frequently in an attempt to halt the Scot's mesmeric ability to prolong rallies, and manoeuvre his opponents out of position. It was partially successful, though the Austrian made too many mistakes to worry Murray unduly.

The first set was tight. Murray broke for a 3-1 lead, only to play a sloppy, unfocused service game of his own after which Melzer leveled at 4-4. Earlier in the week Murray had spoken about his concentrating more at the beginning of a match; on this occasion a little of the old early waywardness returned.

Melzer was clearly thinking of the tie-break at 5-6 and was himself guilty of muddled thinking, a poorly executed drop shot paving the way for a second break of serve by Murray to take the opening set. Melzer knew it was vital that he made an immediate impact at the start of the second and this he managed, with three break points. But Murray saved them all, and thereafter the Austrian's resolve melted away into the fast gathering dusk.

Murray was playing with supreme confidence now, unfolding a range of shots that were beyond Melzer's ability to defend. One of the minor criticisms of Murray has been his occasional problem closing out matches; again there was a glitch when he failed to serve out the victory at 5-1, but it amounted to only a small prolongation. Murray has yet to drop a set.