Sport in Brief: Victory in singles gives Murray a happy return

Sunday 15 March 2009 01:00 GMT
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Andy Murray advanced to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells with a hard-fought victory over Albert Montanes last night. Murray battled to a 7-5 6-3 win in his first singles match since being forced to withdraw before his quarter-final with Richard Gasquet in Dubai last month.

The British No 1 had partnered Ross Hutchins to victory in the doubles on Friday and was pleased to come through another testing clash in hot conditions. "I feel OK, I knew it was going to be a tough match," Murray said. "He's a tough player, he plays a lot closer to the baseline on hard courts.

I'm pretty happy with the way I came back after going a break down in the first set." Murray saved two break points before Montanes secured that opening break in the third game of the set but the Spaniard was made to pay for crucial errors as the match progressed.

A double fault gifted Murray the break back and although he saved two set points in the 10th game, another double fault in the 12th game handed Murray the set. Murray had to save a break point in the fifth game of the second set but, after breaking for a 5-3 lead, served out for the match and a welcome win.

Edwards has England on brink of Cup final

Captain Charlotte Edwards produced a superb all-round performance as England's women cricketers took an important step towards a place in the World Cup final. They beat New Zealand by 31 runs in Sydney on the opening day of the Super Six phase and are now the only unbeaten team in the competition. Edwards top-scored with 57 as England reached 201 for 5 in their 50 overs. The 29-year-old then took 4 for 37 with her leg-spin as the White Ferns were bowled out for 170. The victory was made doubly sweet with the news of India's 16-run victory over hosts Australia. England can make certain of a place in the final if they beat West Indies on Tuesday.

Fina crack down on hi-tech swimsuits

World governing body Fina have moved to limit the impact of the controversial hi-tech swimsuits. Last year saw an astonishing 108 world records broken, 79 of them by swimmers wearing one suit, the Speedo LZR Racer. But after a three-day meeting in Dubai, Fina have stipulated swimsuits should not cover the neck and must not extend past shoulders and ankles. The changes, which will be in place for July's World Championships, also limit a suit's thickness and buoyancy.

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