Andy Murray battles past Xavier Malisse into the third round of Internazionali BNL d’Italia
World number 4 Andy Murray of Great Britain survived a second set lapse in concentration to defeat Belgian Xavier Malisse, ranked 41st in the world, in three sets 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 in the second round at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome on Tuesday. It took the Brit just under two hours to undo his opponent in a tough contest.
Murray hit a fine volley to break Malisse in the fourth game of the first set, taking a 3-1 lead. Malisse was quick to respond as he broke back in the very next game. However, the Brit broke again in the sixth game and held his serve in the next game to take a 5-2 lead. Serving to stay in the set at 2-5, Malisse failed to hold his serve and lost the set 2-6.
The Brit hit two aces and 50 percent of the first serves in the opening set, claiming 77 percent of the points on them. Murray attacked his opponent’s serve as he won 61 percent of the first return points in the first set. The 23-year-old converted three of the five break points he received and saved five of the six break points on his own serve in the opening set.
Malisse broke Murray in the first game of the second set and held his next service game to take a 2-0 lead. The Belgian hit a volley winner to claim his second break of serve in the fifth game, stretching his lead to 4-1. Murray responded as he pulled a break of serve back in the next game, reducing Malisse’s lead to 4-2. After that, the Belgian clinched two successive games to win the set 6-2.
The 30-year-old hit one ace and 60 percent of the first serves in the second set, claiming 80 percent of the points on them. Malisse returned impressively, capturing 45 percent of the points on first service returns in the second set. The Belgian failed to save the only break point he faced and succeeded in converting all the three break points he received in the second set.
After losing the second set miserably, Murray regained his form in the deciding set as he broke Malisse in the second game to take a 2-0 lead. However, Malisse broke back immediately in the next game to take the score to 1-2 in favour of Murray. The Brit won four of the next six games, capturing the set 6-3.
Murray fired six aces and 59 percent of the first serves in the third set. The Brit capitalized on two of the three break point opportunities he received in the final set.
The right-handed will take on either Serbian Viktor Troicki, ranked 15th in the world, or world number 44 Potito Starace of Italy in the third round.
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