PARIS (AP) — Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal both advanced to the third round of the Paris Masters on Wednesday, each winning in straight sets.
Murray won 84 percent of his first-serve points and broke Coric twice in each set. Coric, regarded as one of the rising stars of tennis, beat Murray 6-1, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Championships in February.
"I lost to him quickly last time and today it was very different," Murray said. "I hit the ball well and I was able to defend, too, which is a pretty important part of my game."
Murray will next play 16th-seeded David Goffin of Belgium, who beat Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 6-2, 6-2. Murray and Goffin will also face each other later this month in the Davis Cup final.
"Goffin's very solid, for the last 18 months he's been extremely consistent," Murray said. "He's got good hands and he's quick around the court."
Nadal was in trouble when he played Rosol in the first round of the Swiss Indoors last week, with the Czech winning the first set 6-1 and serving for victory at 5-4.
There was no drama this time. Nadal broke Rosol in the second game and held for 3-0 after saving a break point — the only one he faced in the match.
Nadal clinched the first set when Rosol's wild, two-handed backhand sailed wide, and then eaned the victory on his second match point when Rosol's forehand went wide.
Nadal, who lost to Roger Federer in the Swiss Indoors final on Sunday, will next play either 11th-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa or Dominic Thiem of Austria.
No. 6 Kei Nishikori of Japan, No. 10 Richard Gasquet of France, No. 13 John Isner of the United States and Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria also advanced.
Toa Maoni Hapa Chini
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