Andy Murray into French Open fourth round after beating Santiago Giraldo

Andy Murray hit 31 winners against Santiago Giraldo.Rex Features

Andy Murray produced a comprehensive display to cruise past Santiago Giraldo in the third round of the French Open.

The Scot was dominant throughout to see off the Colombian 6-3 6-4 6-4 on Court One at Rolan Garros.

The result was no shock as Murray beat Giraldo on clay in Barcelona earlier this year for the loss of only three games but this was to prove a tougher test.

Thankfully there were no signs of the back problem that plagued the Scot during his second round win over Jarkko Nieminen.

Hitting low and hard, Giraldo was doing his best to avoid being drawn into any long rallies.

The first few games of the match went with serve as both players tried to impose their opposing styles.

But Murray made the breakthrough in the sixth game of the match to take a 4-2 lead.

Two further service games passed by with no further scares as the 25-year-old claimed the first set 6-3.

Not renowned for his movement around the court, the Bogota-born man was quick off the mark to reach a drop shot and unleash a fine passing shot, earning applause from his opponent.

However the British number one was in confident mood and gained another break of serve in the fifth game of the set.

Giraldo was being forced further behind the baseline and a weak forehand hit the net to put Murray 4-2 up.

An excellent cross-court forehand kept the scoreboard ticking over but Giraldo struck an excellent forehand to force a break point as Murray served for the set.

However he wasted the opportunity with a poor shot down the line into the net.

And the Scot didn’t give him a second bite at the cherry, taking the set 6-4.

Murray used his excellent defensive skills to hold on in the first game of the third set but Giraldo battled it out to stay in the match.

Despite the result looking inevitable, the British number one was willing to remain patient and he got his reward with a break in the seventh game of the third set.

And after holding his own serve, he produced a backhand winner to move into the second week of the tournament.

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