Andy Murray advances to the second round with a straight sets win over Yuki Bhambri

Andy Murray plays a backhand against Yuki Bhambri in the first round of the Australian Open

Yuki Bhambri’s stay at the first Grand Slam of the year was shortlived as he suffered a 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (3) defeat at the hands of No. 6 seed Andy Murray. Bhambri struggled to get his first serves in in the opening set. Murray capitalised as he broke the Indian’s serve twice, but Bhambri struck back after a couple of unforced errors from the Brit. It wasn’t enough as Bhambri committed 17 unforced errors to hand the set to Murray.

It was a much closer second set with Bhambri improving his first serve percentage to 68%. The World No. 314 did not convert his three break point opportunities, while Murray sealed the set with a solitary break of serve in the seventh game.

Yuki Bhambri plays an overhead smash

Bhambri led 3-1 in the third set, but a slew of unforced errors helped Murray get back into the set. Murray broke the Indian’s serve in the seventh game. Both players held their serve to send the set to a tie-break. The No. 6 seed dropped just three points to win the set and progress to the second round.