Andy Murray sprang to life yesterday as the Scot began his clay-court season with a 6-0, 6-3 hammering of Serb Viktor Troicki to reach the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters. He was joined by 13th seed Fernando Verdasco as the Spaniard beat Ivan Dodig of Croatia 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. Under the watchful eye of coach Ivan Lendl, third seed Murray was ruthless in his demolition of Troicki, who gave him a brief fright on clay at last year’s French Open. “The goal is Paris, that’s what we are working on now,” said Murray, who broke five times on his way to victory.

Focussed: u00a0Andy Murray returns to Serbia’s Viktor Troicki. Pic/AFP