MIAMI: Roger Federer preserved dignity among the elite at the Miami Masters, earning a comfortable opening victory after world No 3 Andy Murray crashed out to unheralded Mardy Fish.

Federer dominated Nicolas Lapentti of Equador 6-3, 6-3 in 66 minutes. But it was another story for Murray, who fell 6-4, 6-4 to the 101st-ranked Fish.

Federer lined up a third-round clash with Frenchman Florent Serra, a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 winner over Spain’s Albert Montanes. Swedish fifth seed Robin Soderling progressed with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-0 win over Australian Peter Luczak. Croatian Marin Cilic accounted for French Stephane Robert 6-3, 6-1. Spain’s Fernando Verdasco saw off Israel’s Dudi Sela 6-1, 6-2 while Russian Mikhail Youzhny eased past Santiago Giraldo of Colombia 6-0, 6-1.

On women’s side, Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Agnes Szavay of Hungary 6-2, 6-3 to reach the fourth round. Three-time champion Venus Williams improved her own Miami record with a 6-1, 6-4 victory. The American, who lifted titles in 1998, 1999 and 2001, claimed her 12th consecutive match win after back-to-back titles in Dubai and Acapulco. Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska ended the comeback hopes of Ana Ivanovic with a 7-5, 7-5 win.