Murray back on track

Andy Murray returned to winning ways with a much-needed straight-sets triumph over Radek Stepanek in Monte Carlo.

The British number one, who has lost three successive matches since his Australian Open final defeat to Novak Djokovic back in January, progressed to the third round of the claycourt event with a 6-1 6-4 victory.

Frenchman Gilles Simon now awaits Murray in the last 16 on Thursday.

It was a tale of two sets for the Scot, who produced only one unforced error in the opening set, as he looked to bounce back quickly from a truly forgettable hardcourt campaign.

Murray, who lost his previous clash with Stepanek in Paris back in 2009, took three of the six break points he opened up in the first set as his Czech opponent failed to cope with his accurate baseline hitting.

Perfect

However, his first serve percentage dipped in the second and Stepanek capitalised, breaking in the seventh game after Murray had earlier opened up a 4-1 lead.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Murray said: "I played very well today, I hit the ball very big from the beginning of the match. I was a little bit tentative at the end but I think that was normal after the last few months.Nevertheless, Murray regrouped, and broke for a fifth time in the match to seal his place in the third round in exactly an hour-and-a-half.

"I've been working really and for the first match on clay, that was perfect."

Asked about his recent dip in form, Murray added: "I made some changes to my coaching set-up which played on my mind for a few weeks, but I believe in myself, train hard and practice hard.

"People are going to criticise me all the time, it's something I've got to deal with.

"I'm the one on the court and challenging for the biggest events and I'm happy, a lot happier than I was at this stage last year."

On facing 16th-seed Simon next, Murray added: "He's definitely a challenge, he's a very good player and doesn't make many mistakes. I believe I can win."