Andy Murray strolls past Seppi at Indian Wells

ANDY Murray returned to winning ways with a workmanlike 6-4, 6-4 victory over Andreas Seppi in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

COMFORTABLE: Andy Murray admitted there was work to do but still always looked likely to beat Andreas Seppi at Indian Wells (Getty Images)

Murray broke his rival in the opening game and although victory always looked likely, his performance was far from flawless, with frailties on his serve again in evidence.

British number one and number four seed acknowledged he was rusty in his first appearance since losing in Dubai last month and he will now face either American Michael Russell or Russian Igor Andreev in his third round encounter.

"But I did what I needed to do, I was moving pretty well and got the win in straight sets so that's good," said Murray.

"I feel fit. I've had a few weeks off. I've had seven or eight days to get used to the conditions here. It's pretty warm and breezy, so it's pretty tough conditions, but I'll get used to it and hopefully I'll get better."

However, there was disappointment for Elena Baltacha who lost 6-0, 6-2 to a player over 70 places below her in the WTA Tour rankings.

Australia's Alicia Molik took just 56 minutes to progress as Baltacha - who recorded a woeful 33 percent first serve percentage in the opening set - tamely surrendered.

It was a fluffed chance for Baltacha, who had won her way into the main draw through qualifying and had claimed her first top-ten scalp when beating China's Li Na in the previous round.