MORE: Best scenes from Melbourne
Of the 11 service games Groth played, he was broken seven times as Murray won in 1 hour, 31 minutes Thursday.
Murray showcased his brilliant return game on his way to winning the first set in just 29 minutes, before easing to a 3-0 lead in the second.
MORE: Djokovic calls tanking allegations ‘absurd’
Groth had to wait until midway through the second set to win a game, his relief marked by raising his arms in celebration. There would be more success to follow as he got back on serve.
But that was as good as it got for the Australian, who was broken in the 10th game and well beaten in the third set.
Murray used plenty of lobs to trouble Groth, who won just 15 of 46 points when at the net.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Andy Murray (2) def. Sam Groth 6-0, 6-4, 6-1
ACES
Murray — 10
Groth — 6
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Murray — 35/11
Groth — 23/32
BREAK POINTS WON
Murray — 7/14
Groth — 1/1
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
Murray — 57
Groth — 61
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
Murray — 82/69
Groth — 59/33
TOTAL POINTS
Murray — 85
Groth — 51