Australian Open
Murray downs Harrison
2012-01-17 09:00
Melbourne - British fourth seed Andy Murray
bounced back from losing the opening set to oust American Ryan Harrison
in four sets and reach the second round of the Australian Open on
Tuesday.
Murray, twice a beaten finalist in Melbourne, defeated
the 77th-ranked Harrison 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in 3hr 12min on Hisense
Arena.
The Scot recovered from his early setback to gain control
and only lost nine games in the closing three sets to wrap up victory
and a set up a second round meeting with Frenchman Edouard
Roger-Vasselin.
Murray, who lost to Novak Djokovic in last year's
Melbourne final, broke 19-year-old Harrison's serve five times and hit a
total of 47 winners to the American's 39.
It was a safe start to the tournament for Murray, who lost in the first round at the Australian Open in 2006 and 2008.
Murray,
now coached by tennis great Ivan Lendl, remained unbeaten in six
matches this year after winning the Brisbane International earlier this
month.
The 24-year-old is bidding to become Britain's first male major winner since Fred Perry in 1936.