Rome Masters
Second-round latest:
A MURRAY (GB) v J MONACO (Arg) *
5-0
* denotes server
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606: DEBATE
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By Chris Bevan
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Murray 5-0 Monaco
It gets better for Murray, who fires down a huge ace as he holds to love. Monaco has won just 10 points in the first five games - it is not looking good for the Argentine.
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Murray 4-0 Monaco
Phew. This is impressive stuff from Murray - it's early days in this one of course but credit to his new coach Alex Corretja, the British number one is looking very comfortable on clay...far more so than Monaco, who is supposedly a specialist on this surface. The Scot is not just waiting for his opponent to make mistakes, either, with one superb forehand winner helping him break again.
The winner of this one plays either Christophe Rochus of Belgium or Croatia's Marin Cilic, the 15th seed, in the third round. Oh, and Murray is in the same half of the draw as Nadal so, if the Scot does make progress, then he will probably have to face the Spaniard in the semi-finals.
Murray 3-0 Monaco
That early break is a huge boost for Murray but this is by no means a one-sided match and Monaco is also playing some cracking shots. He's also making more mistakes too though - he seems to be the player trying to end points early at the moment and it is not working. Murray, steady and patient as ever, holds to extend his lead.
"Woah, bit of confusion right there! I thought you were saying that Murray was taking on the whole of Monaco. I think that would be beyond even his reach."
Anon via text on 81111
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Murray 2-0 Monaco
Hmmm, slightly sloppy stuff from Monaco on his own serve and I'm surprised that he is trying to get into the net. If it is meant to unsettle Murray, it is not working, and the Brit produces a cracking passing shot to move 15-40 up. Both those break points come and go, however, as Monaco digs in but Murray is having the better of the lengthy rallies too and soon forces a third break point. The Argentine saves himself again - this time with a dinked drop shot - but ruins his hard work with two wild shots and, after a bit of a marathon, Murray is a break up. Good work!
Murray 1-0 Monaco
If this first game is anything to go by, Murray is going to have to work hard today. Monaco, as expected, is very comfortable at the back of the court and the Scot's attempts to put him under pressure bring some very mixed results. He has more joy when he brings the Argentine into the net at deuce, however, with a limp volley landing at the bottom of the net, and another mistake on the next point means Murray holds out.
1213: These two have met only once before - with Murray coming through after a bit of a scrap in Miami in March.
1211: Just before we get going - it's worth pointing out that if Novak Djokovic does not defend his title here, Murray will move above him to become the world number three by the middle of May. The Djoker has got off to a good start, though, as he beat Albert Montanes 7-6 (7-5) 6-0 last night to become the first man into the third round.
1209: In case you were wondering, this won't be easy for Murray. Monaco is only ranked 58th in the world but that's mainly because he was ill or injured for most of 2008 - he was as high as number 14 in February of that year and is very much a clay-court expert with three ATP titles on this surface.
1206: The players are on court at the Stad Pietrangeli and warming up. It looks very hot out there.
1204: The world number four was meant to play Monaco (the player, not the principality) on Tuesday afternoon but the wet weather decided otherwise. Oh, and by(e) the way, Murray got a bye to the second round because he is seeded fourth. Monaco had to come through qualifying and then beat Germany's Nicolas Kiefer 6-2 6-3 in round one.
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1200: Afternoon all - I bring good news. At long last, the rain has stopped and that means Britain's Andy Murray will be on court for his second-round Rome Masters match against Argentina's Juan Monaco in the next few minutes. Hopefully.
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