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Andy Murray outlasts Radek Stepanek in Madrid opener

Andy Murray overcomes the challenge of Radek Stepanek 7-6(3) 3-6 6-1 in the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open.

World number two Andy Murray has held off the challenge of Radek Stepanek to advance to the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open.

Andy Murray during his three-set victory against Radek Stepanek in their second round match during day four of the Mutua Madrid Open on May 3, 2016© Getty Images

It was a slow start from Murray, who lost his serve in the opening game of the match as Stepanek went 2-0 and then 3-1 up.

However, the Scot hit back in the sixth game of the first set before six holds of serve followed, meaning that a tie-break was needed.

In the breaker, the pair changed ends level at 3-3 but Murray then reeled off four points in a row to take the lead.

Stepanek was not deterred by losing the opener as he again broke Murray straight away, this time consolidating his advantage to level the match 6-3.

The world number 148 ran out of steam in the decider, though, as Murray raced out to 5-0 lead before closing it out 7-6(3) 3-6 6-1 in two hours and 19 minutes.

Murray will be up against either 16th seed Gilles Simon or Pablo Carreno-Busta in the last 16.

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Andy Murray sits out during the match against Marcel Granollers during the Rome Masters on May 15, 2013
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