Andy Murray was made to work for his three set victory yesterday as he was tested by Simone Bolelli.
Bolelli only made the main draw after the withdrawal of another player but the Italian asked some questions of the world number four.
It was an erratic start from both players as they struggled with the blustery conditions and the unforced errors started to creep up.
But it was Bolelli who held his nerve early on as Murray fell behind twice - the Italian serving for the set at 5-4.
But Murray was able to break back and level the set at 5-5. Bolelli had his chances to edge ahead again in the eleventh game as two more break points came his way - but he failed to capitalise.
Locked at 6-6 a tie break was needed to decide the destination of the opening set and it was Murray who went into the lead 4-2. That mini break was enough to see Murray take the opening set.
An early break at the beginning of the second set and it looked like Murray was finally getting some rhythm.
But then poor serving from the Scot surfaced once again and Bolelli was allowed to level at 2-2.
But Murray managed to break again in game seven and that was enough to get the second set under his belt and really seal the match.
Into the third and Murray was just not able to shake off the Italian as he once again found his way through the defences of the Scot to break.
Bolelli has the chance once again to serve for a set but Murray once again managed to break when needed to keep himself in the third set.
Murray eventually served out the match and wrapped up a 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 7-5 win.
Speaking to the ATP after the match Murray said: "It was so difficult because the win wasn’t consistent; it was swirling the whole time.
"There was no real rhythm and your legs get kind of tired too because you’re doing so many small adjustment steps. It was really tricky today.
"There were a lot of scrappy points, a lot of scrappy games, and you’ve just got to try and chase as many balls down as you can and make them play one extra ball. Today I was able to do that.
"I thought he played very well; he hit the ball through the wind definitely better than I did."
Murray will now face Michael Berrer in the next round as the German saw off Arnaud Clement 7-6 )8-6) 3-6 7-5 6-4.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
by Helen Earnshaw
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