Murray beats Soeda to enter second round

Melbourne, Jan 14 (IANS) Three-time runner-up Andy Murray recorded a 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 win over Japan’s Soeda Go here Tuesday to reach the second round at the Australian Open tennis tournament.

The Briton made his return to Grand Slam action for the first time since his back surgery last September. He was on court for one hour and 27 minutes to open this year’s journey at Melbourne Park, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2013 final.

The fourth-seeded Scot won the 2013 Wimbledon Open to become the first British winner in 77 years but missed the rest of last season due to the surgery. He said his back felt fully recovered, but added that the long lay-off meant the rest of his body was not yet at the level he would like.