Andy Murray eased into the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Monday as he beat Spain's Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

A tight first set went with serve all the way, but Murray edged a tie-break after a wayward Lopez backhand.

The second set was more clear-cut, with Murray breaking in the first game.

Lopez's head dropped and the pair swapped breaks late on before Murray closed out to set up a second round match against Filippo Volandri.

Murray has been working with former French Open finalist Alex Corretja on clay, a surface on which he has previously performed poorly.

The former world number two had called for Murray to show more patience.

That advice appeared to be taken on board as Murray made a composed start and kept his cool to take the advantage despite the close first set.

And he gained momentum by breaking in the first game of the second set and seemed ready for a quick win when a second break took him 5-2 ahead.

But he lost his own serve and Lopez held to come back to 5-4, but Murray regained his poise to claim victory.

His next round opponent Volandri enjoyed a straightforward 6-2 6-3 win over Nicolas Mahut of France.


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