Murray cruised to a 6-0, 6-4, 6-1 win in just one hour and 30 minutes against Groth, who despite having the fastest serve ever recorded to his name at 163mph was broken seven times during the match.

The Scot moves into the last 32 where he will face Portugal’s Joao Sousa for the third time in four years.

"He’s almost the opposite to Groth really," said Murray of Sousa, an opponent he has beaten in all six of their meetings including last year’s encounter in Melbourne - 6-1, 6-1, 7-5.

"Plays predominantly from the back of the court, very solid from the baseline.

"Doesn’t obviously serve so big, but makes a lot of returns.

"He’s a very good mover, good athlete."

Although it was an enjoyable day for Murray, it was an extremely sad one for Hewitt whose career came to an end after going down 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 at the hands of Spanish eighth seed David Ferrer.

The former world number one, who won two Grand Slam titles, received a standing ovation as he addressed the crowd inside the Rod Laver Arena after the match.

"I gave everything I had like always, that’s something I can always be proud of," he said.

"It’s a weird emotion, I don’t think it will fully sink in until a couple of days time.

"I’ve had a fantastic last month.

"The crowds have been fantastic right across the board, and I feel honoured to have this support and this love, it feels so much to me.

"Playing for Australia has always been my biggest honour.

"When I was picked to play Davis Cup is one of the greatest days of my life.

"I feel fortunate to finish here."

Elsewhere in the men’s draw, number four seed Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland eased to a 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 win against veteran Czech veteran Radek Stepanek and there was also success for American 10th seed John Isner, who overcame Spain’s Marcel Granollers 6-3, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-2).

Meanwhile in the women’s draw, Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai marked her 27th birthday by extending her incredible run with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over France’s Alizé Cornet.

Zhang, ranked at 133 in the world, had lost all 14 of her Grand Slam matches prior to her first round win against world number two Simona Halep of Romania but now has the opportunity to pick up her third victory against the United States' Varvara Lepchenko. 

Another qualifier, Japan’s Naomi Osaka, was responsible for the elimination of another seed in the women’s draw, defeating number 18 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-4, 6-4.

She will next go up against two-time champion Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who lost just three games on her way to a 6-1, 6-2 triumph against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinić.