Masterly performance from Murray in Madrid

Andy Murray put two early tournament exits behind him to overcome Ivan Navarro Pastor in the first round of the Madrid Masters.

The British number one, who fell at the first hurdle in his previous two events, was made to work hard by the serve-volleying Spaniard before closing out a 6-2 6-4 victory.

It looked set to be a routine win for Murray in the first set, with a tremendous backhand lob setting up break point in the fourth game.

The Scot duly converted with a crosscourt pass Navarro Pastor could only net.

Murray lost an incredible rally in the next game to fall 15-30 behind but fought back to hold with a sublime volley.

Navarro Pastor eventually closed out a marathon sixth game to move to 4-2 down and went all out attack in the next to try and get back on serve.

It earned him a break point but Murray quickly dismissed his hopes of a comeback to move to 5-2 before closing out the set with another brilliantly-executed lob.

It was not long before Murray had another break point in the second game of the second set but Navarro Pastor refused to curtail his aggressive instincts and it paid off as he held.

The contrasting styles was making for a fascinating match, with Murray being forced to cover every inch of the court as his Spanish opponent went for broke.

But the British number one's serve was looking secure, whilst Navarro Pastor was having to scrap for every point in his own service games.

Still, there were few signs of a Murray break until what proved to be the final game of the match.

He raced to 30-0 before being pegged back again by Navarro Pastor. Then, at match point, the Spaniard enjoyed the most outrageous net cord to take the game to deuce but Murray was not to be denied.

At game point down, yet another lob helped him to his second match point and this time he left nothing to chance.