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Andy Murray reaches 4th round at Australian Open after straight sets win over Lopez

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Andy Murray of Britain makes a forehand return to Feliciano Lopez of Spain during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014.(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) (The Associated Press)

Feliciano Lopez of Spain touches his brows between points as he plays Andy Murray of Britain during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014.(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) (The Associated Press)

Three-time finalist Andy Murray advanced to the fourth round at the Australian Open for the sixth straight year with a 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-2 win over No. 26-seeded Feliciano Lopez of Spain on Saturday.

Murray, playing only his second tournament since minor back surgery in September, was only broken once in a 2-hour, 15-minute match.

Fourth-seeded Murray, who broke some Grand Slam droughts for British men when he won the U.S. Open in 2012 and Wimbledon last year, is still aiming for his first Australian title. He has lost the finals at Melbourne Park in three of the last four years.

He next faces Stefane Robert, a lucky loser from qualifying who made the main draw after Philipp Kohlschreiber withdrew with an injury on the second morning of the tournament.