Andy Murray revealed a fast start was key as he brushed aside Joao Sousa and, crucially, conserved plenty of energy for the challenges which lie ahead at the Australian Open.
The world number three was too strong in every facet of the game as he won 6-2 6-2 6-4 against a game but, ultimately, outclassed opponent.
In temperatures which exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit, getting the job done quickly was vital and Murray was engaged for a mere hour and 41 minutes as he booked his place in the third round against resurgent Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis.
Murray admitted afterwards that by getting out of the blocks so swiftly in the first set allowed him to tailor his gameplan to the conditions.
He said: “I got up a couple of breaks pretty quickly in the first two sets so I could play, not loose points, but I could try to shorten the points, which helps.
“I also served well today. I got a lot of free points on my serve.
“There were very few long rallies so it worked out well for me because it was really tough conditions.”
The US Open and Olympic champion took to Hisense Arena in early afternoon and he admitted it became particularly difficult when the sun broke through the clouds.
“It was actually okay when the sun was in but when it came out it got really hot, really quickly,” he added.
“It was a good match to get done in straight sets.”
A straight-set victory was never in doubt with Sousa’s game simply not big enough to cause Murray any significant problems.
The world number 100 from Portugal had limited chances to impress as Murray dictated the match from the baseline.
And on the rare occasion he had to escape from trouble, the Scot’s serve came to his aid.
Murray broke early to establish a 2-1 first-set lead and although Sousa threatened an immediate response at deuce in the next game a wonderful backhand pass up the line and an ace saw the Scot extend his advantage.
Another break put Murray in total control and he had few alarms in serving it out to move a set up.
The second set continued in the same vein with Sousa unable to make any inroads.
A horribly-shanked forehand handed Murray another break in the first game a gift he hardly needed.
And when Murray claimed the Sousa serve once more, having chased down a drop shot and forced an error from his opponent, for 3-0, the writing was on the wall for the 23-year-old from Guimaraes.
To his credit, he got on the board in the fifth game – albeit with plenty of help as Murray’s concentration wavered – but it did little to stem the tide as Murray held for 5-1 having been taken to deuce.
Any remote hope the crowd had of a Sousa comeback was evaporating by the minute and Murray kept his foot on the gas by starting the third set with yet another break – his fifth of the contest.
A powerful forehand return put him 30-40 up and, having moved his opponent round the court, he took the chance when Sousa could only put a desperate lob beyond the baseline.
Murray was clearly in the mood for a quick finish and he showed his desperation to get the job done with a loud yell of anguish after putting a backhand into the net in the seventh game.
He was irritated further as a break point came and went before Sousa, via a neat serve and volley, took it to remain just one break down at 3-4.
It was to prove enough, though, as two confident holds saw Murray progress to a meeting with Berankis, who thrashed 25th seed Florian Mayer today for the loss of just six games.
“I have practised with Berankis a lot,” said Murray.
“He is a very hard worker, he has had a couple of injuries over the last couple of years and it will be tough.”