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Murray - easy victory.

MURRAY EASES THROUGH

Andy Murray did not have to be at his best as he wrapped up a comfortable victory in the first round of the Valencia Open 500.

Facing Spanish wildcard Daniel Gimeno-Traver, the Scot overcame a sloppy spell in the first set to secure a 6-3 6-1 win.

Murray started impressively on the Stadium Court and immediately raced into a 3-0 first-set lead with two breaks of serve - the first-serve percentages at that stage reading Murray 80%, Gimeno-Traver 27%.

He was pegged back to 4-3 after the Spaniard got one of the breaks back, but that was as close as the match got.

Murray took the next two games, closing out the set 6-3 with a third break on his second set point.

He broke in the fourth game of the second set - though he needed three attempts to do so - and from that point the result was never in doubt.

A Gimeno-Traver double fault brought up the break point from which the British number one went 5-1 up, and he then served out the match with the minimum of fuss.

Murray served three aces but two double faults in the match, which lasted for exactly an hour, while his 70% first-serve ratio in an improved second set will give him encouragement for his second-round clash with Leonardo Mayer.

The Argentinian upset Russia's Igor Andreev 6-3 6-3 on Court One to take his place as the next obstacle in Murray's path.

It was announced today that Murray has signed a new kit deal with adidas, which will take effect from the start of 2010.

He currently wears Fred Perry-branded sportswear - Perry was the last British man to win the Wimbledon men's singles - but has agreed a deal reportedly due to last for five years with German-based company adidas.

The deal is set to boost Murray's off-court earnings, and he said: "Joining a list of stars who have worn the brand, including Muhammad Ali and David Beckham, is an honour. I'm in no doubt that this deal will help me both on and off the court."

He will wear the kit in competition for the first time at the Hopman Cup in January.

 
Champions Race
Pos Player Points
1 Rafael Nadal 6885
2 Roger Federer 5460
3 Andy Murray 3780
4 Novak Djokovic 3690
5 Juan Martin Del Potro 2580
6 Andy Roddick 2360
7 Fernando Verdasco 2040
8 Fernando Gonzalez 1825
9 Robin Soderling 1625
10 Tommy Robredo 1580

WTA Rankings
Pos Player Points
1 Serena Williams 9075
2 Dinara Safina 7800
3 Svetlana Kuznetsova 6141
4 Caroline Wozniacki 5875
5 Elena Dementieva 5585
6 Venus Williams 5126
7 Victoria Azarenka 4820
8 Jelena Jankovic 3965
9 Vera Zvonareva 3560
10 Agnieszka Radwanska 3450