Murray thrashes Chela to reach second round

PARIS (Reuters) - World number three Andy Murray started his French Open campaign with a 6-2 6-2 6-1 demolition of Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela to book a second round ticket on Sunday.

The Briton, chasing his first grand slam title, will next face either Germany's Mischa Zverev or Italian Potito Starace.

"I wasn't expecting to play that well on the first match. I hit a lot of winners," Murray, who has never won a title on clay, told reporters.

"I dictated most of the points and when the rallies went long, which he normally likes, I was coming up on top a lot. If I played that well in all my matches, I've got a good chance of winning comfortably.

"But I wasn't expecting to play that well, and it was a bit surprising."

Murray dropped his serve in the first game but won four in a row to open a 4-1 lead. The remainder of the set went with serve, Murray clinching it with a crosscourt forehand passing shot.

The Scot saved three break points in the opening game before opening a 3-0 lead and pocketing the second set on Chela's serve.

Murray, who reached the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters last month, stayed focussed in the third set, going 3-0 up again and sealing a straightforward win on his first match point when Chela returned wide.

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar)