Murray wins Queen's Club opener in straight sets

Andy Murray got his preparations for the defence of his Wimbledon crown up and running with a straight sets victory over France’s Paul-Henri Mathieu in round two at Queen’s Club.

Murray, who reached the semi-finals of last week’s French Open, had been handed a bye in the first round of the grass tournament.

A winner at Queen’s three times previously, including last year, the British number one put in a workmanlike performance on Wednesday afternoon, taking victory over his French opponent 6-4, 6-4 in one hour 26 minutes.

It extends his winning run on grass to 19 matches, stretching back to his Wimbledon final defeat to Roger Federer in 2012.

The result also marked a winning start to his partnership with new coach Amelie Mauresmo after they announced they were to work together for the grass-court season.

"It was a good start; I served pretty well,” said Murray, who will now face Radek Stepanek in the last eight on Thursday.

“Both of us moved well, there were some good rallies and it was a good start to the grass-court season.”

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