Andy Murray maintained that he would get the experience of his phenomenal US Open win in the concluding stages of major tournaments after a trouble-free beginning to his Australian Open campaign.
In rising on-court temperatures on Rod Laver Arena, the third seed meticulously dispatched of Dutchman Robin Haase, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 to move safely to the second round.
Most of the situations have changed in Murray's life after his scintillating victory over world number one Novak Djokovic in last year's US Open final, and he is currently the favourite at the year's initial major tournament.
Murray was commanding in his first match in Melbourne, winning in just 1hr 37min to take apart the fouling Haase with eight service breaks and resulting in mere 20 unforced errors in the 25 games.
The defending US Open champion Murray included that he didn't find anything particularly different in his first Grand Slam match ever since his US Open tryst last September, but that it would conquer him in making to the ultimate rounds of the Australian Open.
"It didn't feel much difference to me. I was still nervous before I went on to play the match," Murray explained.
"I think when I would see the benefits of that is if I get myself deep into a Slam this year and you're playing against the top players. That's when I think you'll draw on that experience and use it in the right way."
Murray, 25, has lost twice in the Australian Open finals. He is pitted against 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in the semi-finals and apparently defending champion Djokovic in the final.
Meanwhile, it was Haase who consistently overplayed his volleys along with the 35 unforced errors, was no match for Murray.
"It was a good start and it was nice to win in straight sets, it was the hottest day of the tournament so far," Murray said.
"It took a little while to get used to that and the court was playing much quicker and bouncier because of it."
After being questioned if there was more focus on his US Open win, Murray said: "No, it's not a bad thing. I've often had to look at majors, having lost in finals or having lost in tough semi-finals.
"It's nice to have that memory of having won one. But it doesn't matter what anyone else is doing, it matters what I'm doing.
"I'm focused on this event, and I trained really hard to get myself ready for it. So whether everyone else is still thinking about the US Open or not makes no difference to me."
Murray went after Haase's serve three times successfully to take the opening set in 41 minutes, assisted by his superior accuracy against the clueless Haase.
Murray was aghast as he tried to serve out for the set, resulting in a fragile sliced backhand into the net, but it was only a situational setback as the Scot broke Haase's serve next game to claim the set. Eventually, Murray has the last laugh by winning the match in same style.
