ANDY MURRAY hopes to continue his stunning record against French players as he bids for glory in the Australian Open.
Having seen off Amer-ican teenager Ryan Harrison in four sets yesterday, the British No.1 will now face Eduard Roger- Vasselin tomorrow for a place in the third round here in Melbourne.
The meeting with the man ranked 101 in the world is the first of four potential French clashes for Murray, with Michael Llodra, Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga blocking his path to a last-four berth.
The Dunblane star has 36 wins from 37 matches against French opponents, dating back to a meeting with Tsonga in Australia four years ago, and is in confident mood ahead of his Roger- Vasselin test.
"I like playing against them," Murray said. "If you think of the stereotype of a French player, they have a lot of flair.
"They can normally play some drop shots, slice – someone like Tsonga is a good athlete but he comes to the net, he changes the pace of the ball. But he makes mistakes.
"Also Gael Monfils, an unbelievable athlete, can hit shots from anywhere on the court, but because I don't give them that many mistakes and play solid, that is why my game has matched up well against them."
Murray dropped the first set of his opening match Down Under but fought back to clinch a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory.
The Scot has new coach Ivan Lendl in his corner for the first time in Melbourne as he looks to land a maiden Grand Slam.
Murray was not at his best as Harrison took the opening set before he turned his fortunes around, and the last remaining British player in the tournament is pleased with the early signs of the new era.
"Ivan didn't say too much during the match but the coach has to trust the player and the player has to trust the coach," Murray said.
"I had to make changes and adjustments on the court.
"He didn't look like he was panicking which was a good sign because it was a big match for both of us.
"It was good I managed to turn it around and change tactics.
"He understands the feelings that you go through.
"Once I started moving better, I played better and the last few sets were good."