TENNIS in DEPTH.

Andy Murray surprised himself at the ease with which he powered into the second round of the French Open.

Clay-court specialist Juan Ignacio Chela was tipped to give Murray a real examination of his credentials on the dirt in their first-round match but the British number one passed the test with flying colours.

A 6-2 6-2 6-1 victory provided further proof of the progress Murray has made on his least favourite surface in recent months, but he admitted he surpassed even his own lofty expectations.

“If I play that well in matches, I’ve got a good chance of winning comfortably,” the 22-year-old said.

“I wasn’t expecting to play that well and it was a bit surprising.”

Murray was never really tested by Chela, who was once 15th in the world but is not even in the top 200 now after a lengthy injury absence.

It gave the Scot an opportunity to showcase his array of talents in front of an impressed Parisian audience, a couple of superb lobs and drop shots really exciting the crowd.

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