French Open 2016: Andy Murray reaches last 16 in Paris

Andy Murray eased into the last 16 of the French Open with a straight-set victory over big-serving Ivo Karlovic.

The British number one, who has reached the semi-finals in each of the past two years, was dominant in recording a 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7-3) win.

He broke Karlovic's opening serve in each of the first two sets before sealing victory in a tie-break.

The Scot will play another big server in the next round after American John Isner beat Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili.

"It was very close, especially in the third set," Murray said. "He fought right to the end.

"I started quickly and obviously it is great to get off court in a relatively quick match."

British number two Aljaz Bedene will attempt to follow his compatriot into the fourth round when he takes on world number one and top seed Novak Djokovic on Saturday.

Relive Murray's dominant performance

Latest scores from Roland Garros

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Ivo Karlovic covered 136m more than Murray in the match - the Scot's previous two opponents only running around 30m more - as he struggled to compete with the world number two

Murray was understandably delighted to win in swift time - he wrapped up the first set in 24 minutes and the second in 39 - after a difficult start to the tournament.

He was taken to five sets by both Radek Stepanek and Mathias Bourgue in the opening two rounds, but was quick to take control in this match.

He set the tone with an outrageous lob over 6ft 11in Karlovic on his way to breaking the 37-year-old in his opening service game.

That tactic continued to pay dividends for Murray as he drew the Croat to the net and deftly clipped the ball out of his reach on a number of occasions.

Karlovic, the oldest player to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Jimmy Connors in 1991, was more resolute in the final set but Murray bided his time before finishing the job in the tie-break.

His opponent did not have a single chance to break serve in the entire match.

It was a far from taxing contest, with the short rallies welcome after previous exertions. Of the 174 points the two played, only 22 comprised more than four shots.

Analysis

BBC Sport tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

"Murray played like a man who had an excellent night's sleep. His serve was back in the groove and the belief back in his groundstrokes.

"He did not face a single break point, and played a very composed tie-break to complete the quick win he so craved: chasing a lob to hit a backhand crosscourt winner in the first point of the tie-break provided the spark required.

"Karlovic took a while to find his rhythm on serve (hardly surprising at the age of 37 and after a four-and-a-half-hour match on Wednesday), but he became increasingly fluent and it was notable how Murray was able to maintain his high level from beginning to end."

The most uncomfortable part of Murray's afternoon came when interviewer Fabrice Santoro persuaded him to say in French what he would be ordering for dinner.The answer: filet du boeuf avec maison frites et salade verte (steak and chips with a green salad)

Murray's mother and former Great Britain Fed Cup captain Judy seemed dubious about her son's pronunciation

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