Feature: Living up to the hype

The 18-year-old Scot, who got a wild card after reaching the third round at Wimbledon, came through 6-4 7-5.

Murray beat the world number 126 in only his eighth match at the senior level of men's tennis, and goes on to Frenchman Antony Dupuis next.

Defending champion Greg Rusedski also advanced beating Uros Vico 2-6 6-4 6-4.

The guy's a very good player, for me to win against him is one of the biggest victories of my life Andy Murray

The British number two was forced to battle back from losing the first set to the Italian before taking the next two sets comfortably and admitted he will have to improve if he is to retain the title.

"I wasn't happy with the way I played," said Rusedski. "I was struggling the whole match. At least in the third set it got a little bit better.

"The first set, he liked the target coming in and I didn't serve so well. I changed the strategy and stayed back the rest of the match.

"Then in the third set, I played reasonably OK but not great."

Rusedski now faces Czech Robin Vik and remains on course to meet Murray in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Murray played down the hype surrounding him on his first professional match on US soil.

Another solid win from Murray beating someone who is ranked way above him From pablo Have your say on Five Live

"I know a lot of people were expecting me to win, but it's not as easy as that," said the 18-year-old Scot.

"The guy's a very good player, for me to win against him is one of the biggest victories of my life.

"It's very difficult to play on these courts and it's been quite windy so I was happy that I won."

The Scottish teenager eased through the opener, facing just one break-point on his service game.

But he had to wait until the final game of the second to break his opponent to advance in one hour and 24 minutes.