Murray battles through LA opener

Murray lost his rhythm in the second set

Andy Murray survived a second-set wobble to beat Tim Smyczek 6-1 4-6 6-2 and book his place in the Farmers Classic quarter-finals in Los Angeles.

In his first event since Wimbledon, the top seed showed no signs of rustiness as he raced through the first set.

But he struggled with his serve as he lost the second before composing himself to seal victory in the third.

The British number one now faces Colombia's Alejandro Falla for a place in the semi-finals.

Falla, who came close to beating Roger Federer at Wimbledon, beat fifth seed Ernests Gulbis 4-6 6-3 7-6 (10-8) earlier in the day.

Murray got off to the best possible start as he held then broke his American opponent to take a 2-0 lead.

He kept up that pace to power through the first set and never faced a break point.

Things got tougher from there, however, as Smyczek fashioned three break points in game four of the second set and duly converted for a 3-1 lead.

606: DEBATE Whoever Murray gets as his new coach, I don't think it will change his fortunes a great deal Sampras11

Murray broke back immediately and held for 3-3, but the American did not roll over and again established a two-game lead at 5-3.

Again the Scot broke back, but with his first-serve percentage for the set down to 42% he allowed Smyczek to level the match.

The contest continued in topsy-turvy fashion at the start of the third as the pair traded breaks in the opening two games.

Murray, who announced a split with coach Miles Maclagan earlier this week, broke again for 2-1 and finally held to give himself a two-game cushion.

From there he did not look back and broke again for a 5-2 lead before serving out for a win which he may consider was more difficult than it needed to be.

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