Andy Murray advances into the third round of the Australian Open after taking an easy win in his second game, beating Joao Sousa of Portugal 6-2, 6-2, 6-4.The third-seed defeated Netherlands Robin Haase in the first round with a similar scoreline of 6-3, 6-1, 6-3. The Grand Slam matches are the Scots first since the US Open thriller last year when he took down Djokovic in the final after five hours on the court, in a game that cemented his name amongst the greats.  It has been 76-years since a British man has been a Grand Slam singles champion. A match which took Murray from been the little boy caught in the big leagues to a hero.

Britain’s number two and fellow Scot Jamie Baker was knocked out in the first round after a 7-6 7-5 6-2 defeat to Lukas Rosol, the player who beat Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon last year. The scorching weather seems to be the only factor slowing the Olympic gold medallist, lucky for him he is Scottish and they are a tough bunch. Since the appointment of his coach Lendl the world has seen a new Murray take to the field. One that is in control and knows how to utilise his strengths. If Murray can win the Australian Open, it will make him the only male player to follow up a first Grand Slam title with another. Though he has some competition to face before then, as he is drawn in the same category as Federer and could face his ‘rival’ Djokovic in what could be a marathon of a replay of the US Open final. This is the new Murray, less whine, more hunger.

He faces  Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis in Round three tomorrow.