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Indian Wells: Andy Murray seals first straight-sets win over the year to ease into third round

Back on form: Murray secured safe passage into the third round  (Getty Images)
Back on form: Murray secured safe passage into the third round (Getty Images)

Andy Murray eased into the third round at Indian Wells with a first straight-sets win this year.

The Scot beat Moldova’s Radu Albot, who was trying to claim his 100th tour-level win, 6-4 6-3 in one hour and 42 minutes.

Murray had just 18 unforced errors to 35 for Albot, and never faced a break point on his serve while firing six aces.

Having won in straight sets for the first time since October, Murray tweeted: "I’d forgotten what that felt like. Bosh."

The win set the Briton up to take on compatriot Jack Draper after the 21-year-old beat 24th seed Dan Evans 6-4 6-2.

Draper has lost just eight games through his first two matches of his Indian Wells debut.

There was more glory for Britain in the women’s draw with Emma Raducanu - the 2021 US Open champion - beating 20th seed Magda Linette 7-6 (3) 6-2.

‘I’d forgotten what that felt like,’ said Murray after his win over Radu Albot (USA TODAY Sports)
‘I’d forgotten what that felt like,’ said Murray after his win over Radu Albot (USA TODAY Sports)

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek routed Claire Liu in 65 minutes to win her opening match on Saturday.

Swiatek, the defending champion who took over the number one ranking nearly a year ago, won 6-0 6-1.

Carlos Alcaraz, the second-ranked men’s player, defeated qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3 6-3, Taylor Fritz, the defending men’s champion, rallied past Ben Shelton 4-6 6-4 6-3, while Jannik Sinner defeated Richard Gasquet 6-3 7-6 (2).