Murray eases past Ljubicic

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The British number one was playing his first match since losing to Fernando Verdasco in the fourth round of the Australian Open.

He did not reach anything like top form but did not need to against Ljubicic, who is a fading force at the top level these days.

Murray secured the only break of the opening set in the eighth game and moved to the brink of victory with an eight-game winning run.

A lapse allowed Ljubicic to get on the board with a break when Murray was serving for the match but it was only a temporary reprieve as the Scot wrapped things up in his next service game.

The second seed will play Italy's Andreas Seppi, who won their only previous meeting in 2006, in the last 16.

Murray was content with his performance and admitted he had benefited from Ljubicic's service struggles.

He said: "I lost against Ivan two times out of three so I was expecting a difficult match.

"He normally serves very, very well but tonight I didn't think he served his best, which made it a bit easier for me.

"There weren't too many rallies, there were a lot of mistakes but it was very tough to see out here. I'm happy to come through reasonably quickly."