Andy Murray celebrating first round win
Andy Murray is yet to drop a single set in the Australian Open Reuters

Andy Murray takes on Joao Sousa in the third round of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Saturday, 23 January in their evening session. The British world number 2 has made easy work of his two opponents in the first two rounds and will be looking to make a seamless progress into the next round and to start the year on a high.

Where to Watch Live

The match starts at 8am GMT. Live coverage will be available on Eurosport 1, Eurosport 1 HD, Eurosport 2 and Eurosport HD. Live scores and real-time internet updates are available on the Australian Open official website.

Overview

Murray progressed into the round after an impressive win over the big-serving Sam Groth 6-0 6-1 6-4. Groth had the fastest recorded serve in the tounament but the number two seed made easy work of the 28-year-old, breaking him in his first four service games to win the first set without dropping a single game. Groth came back better in the third set, winning four games but was too little too late as Murray took yet another step in his quest to win the title.

Murray believes that the two men he has faced in the tournament will serve for a good learning experience, both being very different in the way they play. Murray used the lob to good effect against Groth, where he lured the big man to the net and lobbed the ball over him, using it to his benefit on seven occasions, something which may not work against Sousa, who likes to operate mainly from the baseline.

Sousa has played Murray twice at Melbourne Park in the last three years, and in the French Open last year and both games were remembered for their patient rallies, with Murray conceding that he has to be solid and change his game from the second round to get the better of his opponent. Murray's win at the French Open was the only time Sousa has taken a set off the Brit.

Betting Odds (888Sport)

  • Murray Win: 1/100
  • Sousa Win: 21

Head to Head

The duo have met each other six times in all competitions, with the Briton winning on each of the previous occasions. All the matches were on hardcourts except Murray's win on the clay in Paris, when he won in four sets.