Murray eases into Open fourth round

Melbourne : British top seed Andy Murray eased into the fourth round of the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over power-hitting American Sam Querrey on Friday.

Murray, bidding to win his first Australian title after losing five finals, downed Querrey 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 and will next play German Mischa Zverev in the round of 16.

Murray's chances of an elusive Australian title have improved after his Melbourne nemesis Novak Djokovic was sensationally knocked out by Denis Istomin in Thursday's second round.

Djokovic has proved a road block for the British world number one, beating him in four Melbourne finals.  

Murray showed no signs of discomfort after rolling his right ankle in his previous match and won some wonderful points chasing down seemingly lost causes.

"The ankle was a little sore and I was a little tentative at the start but it got better and better through the match," Murray said.

"It was a tough match. Sam hit the ball extremely well, particularly in the first set and I had a big moment at 3-4 when I saved a break point." 

Querrey took the game to the top seed in the opening set, coming to the net with his deep forehand troubling the Scot.

But Murray scrambled well in defence and got the vital service break in the ninth game with a deft lob over the tall American.

He then served out for the opening set in 42 minutes.

Murray was warming to the task and got a double break to rip through the second set in 29 minutes and take control.

Both players traded breaks in the third set before Murray made two marvellous chase-downs on successive points to break the American's serve and then advance on his second match point in the next game.

Querrey was bidding to post his second career win over a world number one after conquering Djokovic in the third round at last year's Wimbledon.

Murray reached the round of 16 in Melbourne for the ninth straight year.