Andy Murray enjoyed an easy introduction to the Shanghai Masters, brushing aside Steve Johnson 6-2, 6-4 to set up a meeting with another American, John Isner, in the next round.
The world No2, who was playing his first match since driving Great Britain towards the Davis Cup final last month, dropped his opening service game but then broke straight back and won four games in a row to take the first set in 34 minutes.
In the second set Johnson had two break points at 3-3 but Murray averted the danger and wrapped up the match in one hour and 16 minutes.
“I thought I played well. I struck the ball very clean off both sides, returned well and the serve was good,” the Scot told Sky Sports. “I got a lot of free points on the first serve and I was hitting my spots there when it landed. I could have made things a bit easier in the second set but I played well, I moved well, it was a good start for me.”
Isner beat Belgium’s David Goffin 6-3, 7-6 but the American has a poor record against Murray having lost all four of their previous encounters. “I think he quite likes the conditions here because it’s quick and he’s a tough guy to play against,” Murray said.
