Andy Murray into 2nd Round of Wimbledon 2010

Fourth seeded Scotsman Andy Murray was firing on all cylinders as he swept past Jan Hajek 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 into the second round at the All England Club on Tuesday. Murray gave up an early break but came back to even the set and then broke in the 12th game to capture the first set en route to a convincing win.

Murray has struggled since his final round defeat at the hands of Roger Federer in the Australian Open. The Scotsman has shown a lack of conditioning and focus as he has struggled through the 2010 season. Murray has yet to win a tournament this year.

Murray’s Tuesday showing was one of his best performances in the last four months. The hometown favorite will next face Finland’s Jarko Nieminen who took out Stan Koubek 6-4, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-2.

While Tuesday was kind to Murray, it was a tough day for two favored Spaniards. 8th seed Fernando Verdasco lost to Italy’s fabulous Fabio Fognini, 7-6 (9), 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-4. 19th seed Nicolas Almagro was defeated by Andreas Seppi, 7-6 4), 7-6 (7), 6-2. Both Verdasco and Almagro were expected to go far at Wimbledon.

Meanwhile, the 23 year-old Fabulous Fab continues to impress with his big serve and fighting spirit. Unlike yesterday’s fellow underdogs, Fognini took over the match and refused to let Verdasco come back. The Italian will next play France’s Florent Serra, not known as a strong grass court player.

The day’s most impressive performance was turned in by number two seed Rafa Nadal. The colorful Spaniard wasted no time in dismissing Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-4, 6-4. Nadal appears to have moved easily from clay to the Wimbledon grass and after the first round looks like the player to beat.

Nadal will next take on Robin Haase who made quick work of American James Blake. The Dutchman hit 50 outright winners against the overmatched American.

Nadal will be joined in the second round by hot playing countryman David Ferrer, who ousted wild card Nicolas Kiefer 6-4, 6-2, 6-3. American Sam Querrey, the 19 seed, was up two sets and 2-1 when opponent Sergiy Stakhovsky was forced to retire.

Due to darkness, several key matches will be completed tomorrow. John Isner and France’s Nicolas Mahut are headed into a fifth set after four grueling sets.