ROME (AP) – Andy Murray improved his record on clay this year to 10-0 with a 6-4, 6-3 win over 38th-ranked Jeremy Chardy at the Italian Open tennis tournament on Wednesday.
The third-seeded Murray considered withdrawing before the tournament because of fatigue after his perfect start to the clay-court season, but his game showed no signs of wear at the Foro Italico.
“My legs were a bit tired at the beginning then I started to feel better after the first few games. I felt like I played a really great match,” said Murray, who committed only ten unforced errors to Chardy’s 26.
“I moved well and made it difficult for him to get free points.”
Seven-time Rome champion Rafael Nadal was also sharp in a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Turkish qualifier Marsel Ilhan; and fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori advanced with a 7-6 (3), 7-5 win over Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic.
In women’s play, Christina McHale of the United States defeated last year’s finalist, Sara Errani, 6-4, 6-4 in front of the Italian’s home crowd and will next face top-ranked Serena Williams.
Also, second-seeded Simona Halep beat Alison Riske of the United States 6-3, 6-0, Russian qualifier Daria Gavrilova eliminated seventh-seeded Ana Ivanovic 5-7, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (7); and Serbian qualifier Bojana Jovanovski defeated Madison Keys of the U.S. 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.
