ANDY Murray has cruised into the third round of the Wimbledon Championships with a 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 win over Latvian Ernests Gulbis.

Murray was in excellent form in the final game on Centre Court, with his comprehensive victory representing a marked step up from his opening-round defeat of Robbie Kendrick.

The Scot was in sensational form during a quickfire opening set, winning five games in a row to leave Gulbis reeling.

He showcased the full array of shots that have taken him to number three in the world, with a run of 19 successful points on serve confirming the huge improvement in that part of his game over the course of the last 12 months.

The second set was much tighter, but with the score at 5-5, Murray secured a crucial break as he patiently probed from the baseline and waited for Gulbis to make a mistake.

The Latvian duly did so, and Murray calmly held his serve to close out the set.

The Scot, who will be back in action on Saturday, broke again in the third game of the third set, again trading slices from the back of the court and waiting for Gulbis' game to implode.

His own serve was never threatened and, after little more than an hour and a half, he duly wrapped up a blistering win with a crisp forehand cross-court winner.

Murray is now the only Briton left in the two singles draws after fellow Scot Elena Baltacha lost 7-5, 6-1 to Belgian Kirsten Flipkins.

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