Murray plays conservation game ahead of bigger tasks

Murray beat Haase 6-1 6-1 6-4 in an hour and 27 minutes on Court One, meaning he has taken less than four hours to reach round three after a previous straight-sets victory over Mikhail Kukushkin on Tuesday.

Italy’s Andreas Seppi awaits in the third round and Murray was relieved to save energy, with the likes of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Roger Federer potentially to come.

“In grand slams you have to try to conserve energy when you can because the two weeks can be quite draining physically and mentally,” Murray said.

“If you can get yourself off the court quickly and capitalise if your opponent maybe isn’t playing as well, if you’re on your game, (you have to) try to push yourself to keep playing that way.

“It can pay off towards the end of the tournament so I’m glad I got done quickly.”

Murray felt unsatisfied after his battling win over Kukushkin, but the British No 1 raised his level against Haase, with a more aggressive and dominant display.

Haase has caused Murray problems in the past, in particular during two close defeats at the US Open, but the world No 78 was never allowed to find his rhythm.

“The first couple of sets were excellent,” Murray said.

“Even the third set, some of the points were very good. I moved well, hit the ball a lot cleaner from the back of the court. It was a good match.”

Murray added: “I wanted to make sure. I’ve obviously had some tough matches with him in the past.

“I know when he’s on, he can make it extremely difficult. He can be pretty flashy and play two or three great games in a row.

“I wanted to make sure that I didn’t give him that opportunity.”

Murray can now focus on Seppi, who has never been past the fourth round in SW19 and has failed to win a single set in six consecutive defeats to the world No 3.

The Italian has enjoyed an encouraging year, however, after he inflicted a shock defeat on Federer at the Australian Open, before losing to the Swiss in the final at Halle last month.

“Seppi has had such good results this year,” Murray said. “He made the final a couple of weeks ago in Halle, plays well on the grass.

“He won against Roger (Federer) at the Australian Open this year – he’s capable of playing some top tennis.”

Murray’s compatriot and training partner James Ward also won yesterday, meaning Britain boast two men in Wimbledon’s third round for the first time since 2002.

Aljaz Bedene was unable to join them as he lost to Viktor Troicki, but Ward’s victory over Czech Jiri Vesely pleased Murray, who enjoys a strong relationship with the other British players and regularly offers them advice.

“I’m not just doing it to say I really want to help them,” Murray said.

“I’m doing it because I’m friends with them, I get on well with them, they’re people I like.

“I genuinely care whether they win or lose the matches. The relationship is kind of different with all of them.”

The Duchess of Cornwall was said to be ‘’delighted’’ after she was handed Murray’s sweatband as a memento.

Murray threw his wristband in celebration towards Camilla as she sat in the stands.

It was caught by All England Club chairman Philip Brook, who then passed it to Camilla.

Murray said later that the Duchess had shown him the sweatband in her bag, as a royal source confirmed she was ‘’delighted’’ with her memento.

After his victory, Murray said: ‘’The wristband actually hit the chairman of Wimbledon because he was there with her.

‘’The Duchess opened up her bag and my wristband was in there, so he obviously had given it to her.’’

A Clarence House spokeswoman said the Duchess and Murray met after his win so she could ‘’pass on her congratulations’’.

Federer thrilled Centre Court with an outrageous lob as he moved effortlessly into the third round of Wimbledon with a 6-4 6-2 6-2 victory over American Sam Querrey.

The highlight of a one-sided match was the audacious shot executed by the Swiss from behind his own baseline, slipping the racket between his legs to direct the ball over the head of the stranded Querrey.

“It’s rare that those shots happen so when they do you have to pull them off. If you don’t win the point you do look a little bit silly,” Federer said.

“It was the perfect shot, I even had a little bit of time which allowed me to get into position. It just felt like I had time.”

Federer remains on course to become the first man in history to win eight Wimbledon titles, but far tougher challenges await in the draw than outclassed world No 36 Querrey.

“I’m very happy with the way I’ve played in the first two matches so far,” Federer said.

“I’ve been playing well this season and have had a good run.”