Giant strides for Murray

Andy Murray survived a predictably tricky examination from Ivo Karlovic to reach the third round of Wimbledon on Thursday.

The fourth seed dropped a set against the Croatian giant but came through 7-5 6-7 6-2 7-6 to book a clash with Marcos Baghdatis.

The Scot was expected to get past the 6ft 10in Karlovic, but he had to stay patient against an opponent that sent down 17 aces.

The omens were not good when Murray dropped his opening service game, only to break back immediately before taking the first set on a tie-break.

It was the Briton who was attacking the Karlovic serve though, with Murray's delivery getting little resistance from the other side of the net.

The Croatian had to save two set points in the 10th game, but saved them in typically efficient style, however another chance came two games later and this time Karlovic served a double fault, confirmed by hawkeye.

Touch

It looked like Murray might drop serve again at the start of the second set when he threw in two double faults, but Karlovic could not capitalise.

Karlovic, watched by countryman and 2001 champion Goran Ivanisevic, was keeping his opponent at bay well though, showing a particularly good touch at the net for a man of his size.

As with many matches involving Karlovic, the set went to a tie-break, and it was the 33-year-old who took the first point against serve to lead 3-1 when Murray netted.

The Scot quickly retrieved it, with another return at the feet of his opponent.

But Murray's passing shots had just deserted him at the wrong time and it was Karlovic who took his first set point, a big forehand return putting him on the front foot and a volley clinching the game 7-5 to level the match.

Murray had understandably started to look a touch frustrated but he had an immediate chance to break at the start of the third set when Karlovic dumped a volley well long, and he took it in fine style with a pinpoint lob.

Passing

It was the perfect response from the world number four, who then came through a tight game to ensure he cemented the break.

Murray was beginning to cause Karlovic, a quarter-finalist here in 2009, more trouble against the serve and a succession of good returns earned a second break in the seventh game.

The 25-year-old had also got his passing game going and Karlovic could only net a volley off a forehand down the line, while Murray easily served out the set 6-2.

Neither was able to find the crucial break in the fourth set and Murray did well to come through a test at 6-5 behind and into another tie-break they went.

The pair exchanged mini-breaks before it was Karlovic who made the crucial mistake, serving a double fault to hand Murray a 5-4 lead with two serves to come.

He did not falter, clinching victory when the Croatian sliced a backhand wide.

Greek Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis awaits after he defeated promising Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who quit when losing 7-5 4-1 complaining of feeling unwell.

Brave Ward bows out

However, Murray once again finds himself as the only Briton left in the men's draw after Jamie Ward bowed out despite an encouraging performance against American Mardy Fish.

Ward had threatened to join Murray in the third round as he twice fought back from a set down to force a decider in his clash with the tenth seed.

But having spurned two break points at the start of that final set, the 25-year-old Londoner crucially lost serve in the eighth game.

Fish, who had earlier failed to serve out for the match in the fourth set, made no mistake second time around and completed a hard-fought 6-3 5-7 6-4 6-7 (7-3) 6-3 victory.