The second-seeded Murray blasted past young German Alexander Zverev 6-1 6-2 6-3 to join in-form Canadian Milos Raonic as an early day-two winner at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.
Straight sets win: Andy Murray. Photo: AP
Murray was glad to get off the court in straight sets but said the match had been more difficult than the scoreline suggested.
"It got tough at the end. There were a lot of tough games, a lot of tough rallies," Murray said.
"Alex fought right through to the last point and it was obviously tough conditions today. It got very hot when the clouds went away.
John Millman advanced after his opponent retired. Photo: Getty Images
"It seemed like all the games were going to deuce ... he hung in and made it tough.
"He fought hard. He's young but he's one of the best young players in the world and he's going to be around for a long time."
Raonic, who opened the season with victory over Roger Federer in the Brisbane final, beat Frenchman Lucas Pouille 6-1 6-4 6-4, while Groth advanced with a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 3-6 6-3 win over Adrian Mannarino.
Sam Groth celebrates his win. Photo: Getty Images
Queenslander John Millman is also through to the second round after Argentina's Diego Schwartzman retired in the fourth set out on court six, while holding a two-sets-to-one lead.
Wildcard Matthew Ebden didn't fare so well, going down to Spaniard Marcel Granollers in four sets, 6-2 4-6 6-1 6-4.
No.11 seed Kevin Anderson was the highest-ranked casualty on Tuesday, with Rajeev Ram progressing after the South African retired down two sets to one.
Italian 20th seed Fabio Fognini is also out, beaten by Luxembourgs's Gilles Muller 7-6(6) 7-6(7) 6-7(5) 7-6(1).
In terms of the Australians, fit-again Groth claimed his first victory since last year's US Open by powering past Mannarino in the first round , while countryman Millman took a different route into the second round.
Reigning Newcombe Medallist Groth quickly overcame a third-set blip to win 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 3-6 6-3, setting up a second-round clash against Murray.
It was a drought-breaking victory for Groth, who had lost in the first round of his past four tournaments, including the Brisbane and Sydney Internationals.
"I've had a tough couple of weeks coming in here," said the big-serving Groth, who underwent off-season foot surgery.
"I had a long break with injury.
"Everyone keeps asking me about how's my foot and how I'm handling the pressure of everyone watching me ... I think today I handled both of those great.
"My foot pulled up great and I think I handled the big moments.
"I'm pretty happy to get my first win of the year."
Meanwhile, after dropping the first two sets against Diego Schwartzman, Millman took command against the flagging Argentine.
Schwartzman officially withdrew after suffering severe cramps and calling for medical assistance late in the fourth set, handing Millman only his second ever win at a major, 3-6 5-7 7-6 (7-2) 5-0.
There are 13 Australians involved in singles action on day two at Melbourne Park.
RESULTS
Men Round 1
Santiago Giraldo (COL) bt Donald Young (USA) 6-4 1-6 6-3 6-2
30-Jeremy Chardy (FRA) bt Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 7-5 2-6 6-7(5) 6-3 13-11.
Rajeev Ram (USA) bt 11-Kevin Anderson (RSA) 7-6(4) 6-7(4) 6-3 3-0 ret.
Gilles Muller (LUX) bt 20-Fabio Fognini (ITA) 7-6(6) 7-6(7) 6-7(5) 7-6(1).
2-Andy Murray (GBR) bt Alexander Zverev (GER) 6-1 6-2 6-3.
Marcel Granollers (ESP) bt WC-Matthew Ebden (AUS) 6-2 4-6 6-1 6-4.
18-Feliciano Lopez (ESP) bt Q-Daniel Evans (GBR) 6-1 6-0 6-4.
John Millman (AUS) bt Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 3-6 5-7 7-6(2) 5-0 ret.
Samuel Groth (AUS) bt Adrian Mannarino (FRA) 7-6(6) 6-4 3-6 6-3.
32-Joao Sousa (POR) bt Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) 6-3 6-4 6-3.
Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) bt Q-Ryan Harrison (USA) 7-5 6-4 6-4.
Q-Stephane Robert (FRA) bt LL-Bjorn Fratangelo (USA) 6-2 6-2 6-2.
13-Milos Raonic (CAN) bt Lucas Pouille (FRA) 6-1 6-4 6-4.
(c) Sydney Morning Herald
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