Andy Murray improved his record on clay this year to 10-0 with a 6-4, 6-3 win over 38th-ranked Jeremy Chardy today at the Rome Masters.
The third-seeded Murray had considered withdrawing at the Foro Italico because of fatigue after his perfect start to the clay-court season, but his game showed no signs of wear.
In the past two weeks, Murray won his first clay title at the Munich Open, and then beat Rafael Nadal in Sunday's Madrid Open final for his first Masters trophy on the surface.
Murray has never been past the semifinals in Rome.
Seven-time Rome champion Nadal was playing Turkish qualifier Marsel Ilhan.
In women's play, second-seeded Simona Halep breezed past Alison Riske of the United States 6-3, 6-0.
AP
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