Andy Murray eases past Nicolas Mahut in Rotterdam first round

Andy Murray is currently ranked fourth in the world

Britain's Andy Murray swept past Nicolas Mahut in the first round of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament.

The top seed - in action for the first time since his Australian Open final defeat by Novak Djokovic - recorded a 6-3 6-2 win over the Frenchman in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Murray, 27, hit 36 winners and only 16 unforced errors against Mahut, 33.

The world number four faces Canada's Vasek Pospisil in the second round of the event, which he won in 2009.

Murray converted four of nine break points and opened up a 5-0 lead in the second set before his opponent briefly rallied.

Mahut broke Murray for the only time in the match before the Scot closed out victory in one hour and 33 minutes.

Afterwards Murray said he felt refreshed, having taken a short break after his exertions in Melbourne.

"I tried to rest a bit. I didn't practice or go to the gym," he said. "I got here early and tried to get used to the conditions and felt quite fresh.

"I feel better than I did at this point last year when I was still having issues with my back. I played some good tennis in Australia and so far here it's been a good start."