Andy, Novak win openers

Unbeaten Andy Murray kept his clay-court purple patch alive on Wednesday, defeating Jeremy Chardy 6-4, 6-3 to reach the third round of the Italian Open.

Murray now owns a dominating 10-0 start on the dirt as he competes at the Foro Italico after making a late decision to see how his body had held up after his stunning Madrid Open win on Sunday.

Meanwhile, holder Novak Djokovic needed a late break in the final set to beat Nicolas Almagro 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 in an opening match at the Italian Open on Tuesday.

The Serb world number one took his record on the clay of the capital to a 30-5 career record here, with titles in 2008, 2011 and a year ago over Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic broke for 5-3 against his Spanish opponent and served out the victory, finishing with 11 aces and just one break of serve.

Nadal began his title defence and the quest for a record eighth Rome trophy as he crushed Turk Marsel Ilhan 6-2, 6-0 in barely one and a quarter hours.

Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori won his opining test four days after falling in a Madrid semi-final to Nadal, with Asia's top player defeating Czech Jiri Vesely 7-6 (7/3), 7-5