It is proving a good week for the British, with Tim Henman also through to today's third round, in which he faces David Nalbandian, the world No 4. "Playing against guys in the top 10 in the world is a great test. A win like today makes me feel like I can get to the level they're at. It's a good benchmark." Murray's world ranking, currently at No 19, is certain to receive another boost next week and this win maintains his outside chance of earning a place in the end-of-season Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. Among the other scalps he has claimed this year are those of Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt and Fernando Gonzalez. "To win against a guy who is No 3 in the world is a huge win for me," Murray said. While it cannot equal the impact of his straight-sets victory over Federer in Cincinnati two months ago, this triumph underlined Murray's progress, particularly since Brad Gilbert's appointment as his coach.
Murray, however, stood firm in the face of the 27-year-old Croat's power and won with an excellent all-round display. Murray won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 against an opponent he regards as the second best indoor player in the world behind Roger Federer. Ljubicic, one of the hardest hitters and most consistent performers, has won more matches under cover than anyone else over the last two years and had started the current indoor campaign by reaching the final in Bangkok and winning in Vienna. Both players have been ordered to appear before Rugby Football Union tribunals in London on Monday.. Andy Murray tries to keep both outstanding victories and unexpected defeats in perspective, but there was no disguising his pleasure after his victory over Ivan Ljubicic, the world No 3, in the second round of the Madrid Masters here yesterday. Newcastle have suspended their lock Jason Oakes for a week for stamping on the ankle of Lawrence Dallaglio during his side's Premiership defeat at Wasps last Sunday, and the Midlanders have taken similar action against the centre Dale Rasmussen, who had been accused of hitting the Gloucester forward Jonathan Pendlebury with a dangerous tackle 48 hours previously.Oakes was sent to the sin-bin for his misdemeanour, and made a full apology yesterday Rasmussen's alleged offence was not punished at the time.
"There is absolutely no way we will take our foot off the pedal We want to go on from here. You can be called a great side only when you win this tournament on more than one occasion."Two of this term's European also-rans, Newcastle and Worcester, have taken internal disciplinary action against players ahead of their opening Challenge Cup matches. "We worked bloody hard to win this tournament and we don't want to be the nearly men when people talk about great sides in the Heineken Cup," he continued. But O'Gara also stressed that Munster's desire would be every bit as great as in their season of seasons last time out.
