Andy ‘wakes up’ to reach round two of Aussie Open

SIR Andy Murray made hard work of his first grand slam match as world No 1 but still had enough to beat Illya Marchenko and reach the Australian Open second round.

Murray shouted “wake up!” during one of many frustrating moments on Rod Laver Arena but a dozy display proved sufficient as the Scot sealed a 7-5 7-6 (7/5) 6-2 victory.

He will now face Russian teenager Andrey Rublev, the world No 152 who had earlier registered a surprise win over Yen-Hsun Lu.

Murray was not addressed as ‘Sir’ in the announcer’s introduction but that will have been of little concern to the top seed, who insisted in his post-match interview that “Andy is definitely fine”.

Instead, the Briton is likely keen to continue where he left off last season as he chases his first title in Melbourne, where he has reached the final five times but never been crowned champion.

The 29-year-old knows he will have to play far better than this if he is to lift the trophy a week on Sunday. It was a scruffy performance that included 27 unforced errors, three conceded breaks of serve and a tendency to adopt the kind of careful, cautious tennis that will run him into trouble against more proficient opponents.

Marchenko, ranked 95th, certainly offered a stern opening test, his exuberant shotmaking and refusal to give in courting much support.

Marchenko’s early break felt like little more than Murray blowing out the cobwebs, particularly when the Scot broke back before taking a 5-3 lead.

His shots, however, were loose and his energy lacking, and Marchenko came again, deservedly breaking a second time after picking up a deft forehand volley.

Murray did just enough to edge the opening set but seeds of confidence had been sewn in his opponent, who seized another break early in the second.

Frustrated, Murray bellowed to himself, and perhaps to his box, “wake up!” before adding, “This is a grand slam guys, come on”.

However, Murray went on to clinch the second set. He broke twice to storm into a 5-1 lead in the third set and, when a final Marchenko forehand drifted long, his progress was confirmed in two hours and 47 minutes.

Meanwhile, another Briton, Aljaz Bedene, lost 7-6 (9/7) 7-5 0-6 6-3 to Dominican veteran Victor Estrella Burgos.