Djokovic, Murray ease into Australian Open second round

Defending champion Novak Djokovic and the player he beat in last year's final, Andy Murray, advanced in contrasting styles at the Australian Open on Tuesday.

World number one Djokovic ripped through Italian journeyman Paolo Lorenzi for the loss of just two games, while fourth seed Murray needed over three hours and four sets to douse young American Ryan Harrison. Djokovic oozed confidence in disposing of the 109-ranked Lorenzi    6-2, 6-0, 6-0 in only 1hr 32min in high temperatures on Rod Laver Arena and will play Colombia's 56th-ranked Santiago Giraldo in the next round. But Murray was kept on court for 3hr 12min on Hisense Arena before ousting the 77th-ranked Harrison, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Only four men on five occasions have won three or more consecutive grand slams in the open era -- Rod Laver, Pete Sampras, Nadal and Roger Federer twice. (AFP)