World number two Andy Murray avoided a repeat of the tricky Olympic quarterfinal as he dispatched Steve Johnson in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, in the second round of the Shanghai Rolex Masters. Murray improved his win streak to seven matches in a row to set up a third-round meeting with French rising star Lucas Pouille.
Murray was made to work at points in the opener but eventually got the one break that was enough to give him the first set. The Brit cruised through the second set, equally impressive in his defensive and offensive play to take a double break lead. The win was never in doubt as Murray sealed the set with ease.
One break enough
Murray survived a tight opening service game to begin the match. His first serve wasn't firing yet and Johnson earned himself a break point for an early lead. Murray held on and battled through to get off to a lead on the scoreboard. Johnson had a better time on serve and held to stay in touch. The Brit had a far easier time on serve in the next game and held with the help of some errors from Johnson he took a 2-1 lead.
Murray showed the variety in his game as he hit a perfect drop shot that took Johnson by surprise to get off to a lead on his return. Murray earned himself a break point but it disappeared as quickly as it arrived with Johnson fighting to stay in touch. The American hammered a forehand return winner to take a lead on return, and although having chances on return again, Murray held to stay in the lead.
Murray's unbelievable defense helped by a double fault and a horrible drop shot attempt by Johnson gave the Brit three break points. Murray only needed the one as he broke to love to take a 4-2 lead. The world number two consolidated the break with a quick hold to love to go 5-2 ahead and a game away from taking the set.
The world number two delighted the crowd as he made an incredible chase-down of a drop shot from way outside the court, but Johnson still held his serve and forced the Brit to serve it out. Murray's lead was never in doubt as he sealed the set 6-3 with a great volley.
Cruising into round three
Johnson raced to a love hold to begin the set, Murray then halted the American's run at five points in a row as his big serving took him to another hold of serve. The Brit dictated the rallies on return, working Johnson's sliced backhand to his advantage to gain the upper hand as he took a 0-40 lead on return. The American managed to save two break points with his aggressive groundstrokes eventually pushing through Murray's defense but a deep return forced the error from Johnson and Murray took a 2-1 lead in the second set.
The Brit consolidated the break with some aggressive play to put the pressure back on Johnson. Murray continued the aggression into the next game where he earned himself a break point, and a shocker of a forehand from Johnson gave Murray his fourth game in a row with the double break.
Huge serving from Murray saw him cruise through another service game to go a game away from the third round. The Brit had opportunities to close out the set on the return as he went two points away from the win but Johnson survived another tight service game to force Murray to serve out the match. Johnson had no chance of making a comeback as Murray served exceptionally well to clinch the second set and a place in the third round.