Tennis: Murray demolishes Groth to reach third round
Andy Murray reached Australian Open third round with 6-0, 6-4, 6-1 win over Sam Groth.
MELBOURNE (AFP) - Andy Murray made dealing with the world s biggest serve look easy on Thursday as he reached the Australian Open third round alongside Ana Ivanovic, who was shaken by an elderly spectator s courtside fall.
Murray, faced with the world record-breaking serve of the physically imposing Sam Groth, had all the answers as he won 6-0, 6-4, 6-1 in just 91 minutes against the flummoxed Australian.
Earlier, Ivanovic went through 6-3, 6-3 against Anastasija Sevastova in a match which was held up for 30 minutes when a fan was badly injured by a fall on some steps inside Rod Laver Arena.
"I felt really bad. I was really shaking, because the sound of the lady falling was really loud. I could hear it," said Ivanovic, who looked on anxiously as the patron received treatment.
Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka was the most impressive of the women s winners when she hammered Danka Kovinic 6-1, 6-2 to reach the third round for the loss of just three games in total.
"I think I m feeling in the best shape body-wise, spirit-wise, everything-wise," said Azarenka, who has recovered from injury and a bout of depression following her split with musician Redfoo.
Progression was less smooth for world number three Garbine Muguruza, who struggled through an error-strewn first set against Kirsten Flipkens before finding her touch and winning 6-4, 6-2.
"I m extremely happy because Kirsten is a very difficult opponent who has a unique game," said the 22-year-old Spaniard. "Every match is very tough and I am just happy to be here."
Australia s Groth clocked the fastest serve on record, 263 kilometres (163 miles) per hour, in 2012 but he was picked off by Murray s redoubtable defence and intelligent choice of shots.
One significant match statistic was that Murray served more aces than 67th-ranked Groth 10-6, while breaking the Australian s powerful serve seven times.
"It s really impossible to say if it s the best (I ve) played," Murray said, adding: "It s been a very good start, for sure. But I can still get better, I think."
Johanna Konta joined her fellow Briton in the third round when she beat China s Zheng Saisai 6-2, 6-3 -- only the third time she has made it so far at a Grand Slam tournament.
Japanese qualifier Naomi Osaka, 18, continued her stunning progress at her debut Grand Slam tournament when she beat Ukrainian 18th seed Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-4 to reach the last 32.
But there was heartbreak for Serbian former world number one Jelena Jankovic, the 19th seed who went crashing out 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 to 97th-ranked German Laura Siegemund.
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And Milos Raonic beat Tommy Robredo in unusual fashion when he secured victory with the only service break of the match -- after nearly three hours of play, and in the very last game.
The big-serving Canadian finally broke Robredo s serve at the 12th attempt and in the 36th game to win it 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 and reach the third round after two hours and 55 minutes.
