Andy Murray enjoys quick win but admits: I wasn’t expecting that

Andy Murray surprised himself as he showed no signs of rustiness in seeing off Japan’s Go Soeda 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 at the Australian Open here today.

Four months after back surgery, the British No1 cruised to victory over his 112th-ranked opponent in 85 minutes. Having played only two competitive matches in the build‑up to the Grand Slam, Murray feared he might be under-cooked but in temperatures that hit 43°C he was rarely troubled.

“I played well,” said the fourth seed. “Maybe didn’t expect to play as well as I did today but the signs have been good in practice. I started the match off very well and did everything solid.”

Murray had surgery after 18 months of playing through pain and said he felt much freer on court.

“Not every shot hurt my back before but on certain shots I’m a lot freer in the movement just now,” he said. “I hope that continues. I felt freer today than I did for the last 18 months.”

Murray now plays Frenchman Vincent Millot after the world No267 beat American Wayne Odesnik in five sets.