Murray, Blake advance at ATP Masters Series event

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

CINCINNATI, Ohio (AFP) — Eighth-seeded Scotsman Andy Murray and American seventh seed James Blake advanced to the third round of the ATP Masters Series tournament here Wednesday with straight-set victories.

Blake continued the rescue of a modest hardcourt start, producing a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Frenchman Giles Simon, who won the Indianapolis title earlier this month and reached last week's Toronto semi-finals after beating Roger Federer.

Murray dropped an early break but roared back over erratic American Sam Querrey for a 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 victory. The British number one looked healthy after tweaking his knee in Toronto. A scan showed him set to play this week.

"It took a little bit of time, but once I got my range I started to change the pace really well,"...