Murray says he is fit as Americans advance in Miami

MIAMI - Andy Murray said his health and fitness are fast-improving after last month’s virus fever and added he is raring to have a go at the Miami Masters.

For once, Murray is sleeping in his own bed in the pulsing South Florida metropolis, staying in the flat he bought last year.

‘I’ve spent a lot of time here in the last year and a half or so, obviously training, and taken a couple of holidays here as well,’ said Murray, who devoted his December here working on his fitness.

US players took to the court en masse on the second day of play, producing four wins from six matches.

Good friends Sam Querrey and John Isner led the way, with Californian Querrry beating Gilles Muller 6-4, 6-3 and Isner easily stopping Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-4, 6-4.

They were joined in the second round by Amir Delic, a winner over Belgian Steve Darcis 6-4, 7-6 (7-2), and Bobby Reynolds, who defeated Argentine Juan Chela 0-6, 7-5, 6-4. Jesse Levine and Ryan Sweeting, however, were the day’s two home losses.

In women’s play, German Anna-Lena Groenefeld stopped US veteran Jill Craybas 6-4, 6-1, and US player Alexa Glatch beat Swiss Timea Bacsinszky 6-4, 6-1.

While Murray has all his home comforts in Miami, the World No. 3 is most relieved by the result of his medical tests as the doctors first thought he might be suffering from glandular fever, like Roger Federer in early 2008. The 21-year-old had to quit last month in Dubai to head home to Britain for tests.

‘When I had the first batch of tests done, I was told it’s not glandular fever, and then the next morning I got a call saying it could be. Then I began to panic a little bit,’ Murray said.

‘I was obviously pleased it wasn’t that, because it’s a pretty debilitating illness. I’m happy that I’m feeling good again.’

While weakened even after week’s rest, Murray pulled up a fine performance in California at the Indian Wells Masters, where he surprised himself with a final appearance against Rafael Nadal.

‘I was lucky that I had to play on back-to-back days just once before the final. Obviously I was recovering decent after the matches because I had some time.

‘I was expecting to feel pretty rough on the court and was struggling with my breathing. I had put in a lot of hard work in December. I feel this week I’m much better prepared,’ he said.