MELBOURNE (AFP) - Three-time runner-up Andy Murray swept into the second round of the Australian Open with an easy straight sets win over Japan's Go Soeda today.

The British fourth seed won 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in one hour and 27 minutes as he worked his way to full match fitness after back surgery.

Murray said his back felt fully recovered but added that the long lay-off meant the rest of his body was not yet at the level he would like.

The Scot had surgery in September, missing the rest of last season, and his preparations for Melbourne, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in last year's final, have not been good.

The world No. 4 crashed out in the second round of the Qatar Open to Florian Mayer, the world No. 38, and then went down to veteran Lleyton Hewitt in an exhibition match last Friday.

Last year, Murray became the first British man to lift the Wimbledon trophy since Fred Perry in 1936.

He was never in any trouble against the 112th-ranked Soeda, hitting 32 winners and only 13 unforced errors.

He has a qualifier next up, either Frenchman Vincent Millot or American Wayne Odesnik.