British number one Andy Murray swept into the third round at Wimbledon on Thursday with an impressive 6-4 6-2 6-2 win over Belgian Xavier Malisse.

In the first set, the 12th seed served superbly and used exquisite drop shots to great effect. One break of serve in the fifth game was all he needed to take the lead.

The Scotsman, bidding to become Britain’s first Wimbledon men’s winner in 72 years, dominated the dispirited Belgian in a one-sided second set despite letting his serve slip once.

The lanky 21-year-old, who like Malisse missed parts of last season with a wrist injury, took an early break in the third set and maintained the momentum for a solid victory with a thundering ace.