This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/tennis/6264231.stm
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Murray ready for 'tough' opener | Murray ready for 'tough' opener |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Andy Murray says he expects a stiff challenge from Alberto Martin in the first round of the Australian Open. | Andy Murray says he expects a stiff challenge from Alberto Martin in the first round of the Australian Open. |
| The pair meet at 0830 GMT on Tuesday, and Murray will not be taking the clay-court specialist lightly. | The pair meet at 0830 GMT on Tuesday, and Murray will not be taking the clay-court specialist lightly. |
| "I've watched him play a lot," Murray told his website. "It's up to me to use my all-court game to my advantage but it will be a tough match." | "I've watched him play a lot," Murray told his website. "It's up to me to use my all-court game to my advantage but it will be a tough match." |
| Fellow Scot Alan Mackin came through qualifying and faces Nicolas Lapentti just after 0000 GMT on Tuesday morning. | Fellow Scot Alan Mackin came through qualifying and faces Nicolas Lapentti just after 0000 GMT on Tuesday morning. |
| Interview: British number one Andy Murray | |
| WATCH MURRAY'S OPENING MATCH ON BBC INTERACTIVE VIA THE RED BUTTON OR ON THE BBC SPORT WEBSITE FROM 0830 GMT ON TUESDAY | WATCH MURRAY'S OPENING MATCH ON BBC INTERACTIVE VIA THE RED BUTTON OR ON THE BBC SPORT WEBSITE FROM 0830 GMT ON TUESDAY |
| It is the first time that 25-year-old Mackin has qualified for a Grand Slam other than Wimbledon. | It is the first time that 25-year-old Mackin has qualified for a Grand Slam other than Wimbledon. |
| Murray will be hoping to get beyond the first round of the Australian Open after a disappointing debut last season when he lost to Juan Ignacio Chela. | Murray will be hoping to get beyond the first round of the Australian Open after a disappointing debut last season when he lost to Juan Ignacio Chela. |
| Encouragingly, the 19-year-old described his preparation leading up to the Melbourne Park event as "perfect" after finishing third in the exhibition event at Kooyong and reaching the final of the Qatar Open. | Encouragingly, the 19-year-old described his preparation leading up to the Melbourne Park event as "perfect" after finishing third in the exhibition event at Kooyong and reaching the final of the Qatar Open. |
| I feel fresh and healthy, which is most important Top seed, Maria Sharapova | I feel fresh and healthy, which is most important Top seed, Maria Sharapova |
| But he is aware the conditions may favour world number 60 Martin, who has twice advanced to the third round in Melbourne. | But he is aware the conditions may favour world number 60 Martin, who has twice advanced to the third round in Melbourne. |
| "All the Spanish guys are in great shape, so the heat probably won't be a problem for him," said Murray, who is playing at Margaret Court Arena. | "All the Spanish guys are in great shape, so the heat probably won't be a problem for him," said Murray, who is playing at Margaret Court Arena. |
| "I know he plays from the back, puts in a high percentage of first serves, he's got a single-handed backhand and plays with a lot of top spin." | "I know he plays from the back, puts in a high percentage of first serves, he's got a single-handed backhand and plays with a lot of top spin." |
| 606 DEBATE: Comment on the latest from Melbourne | 606 DEBATE: Comment on the latest from Melbourne |
| And Murray's Davis Cup coach John Lloyd believes the Scot can make a big impact in the year's first grand slam. | And Murray's Davis Cup coach John Lloyd believes the Scot can make a big impact in the year's first grand slam. |
| "He is a more confident, comfortable individual these days and I really think he's a dangerous threat in Australia," he told BBC Five Live. | "He is a more confident, comfortable individual these days and I really think he's a dangerous threat in Australia," he told BBC Five Live. |
| "I genuinely don't think there is anyone he should fear. A certain Roger Federer is in the other half of the draw and all the top players have a huge respect for him. | "I genuinely don't think there is anyone he should fear. A certain Roger Federer is in the other half of the draw and all the top players have a huge respect for him. |
| "Having seen him up close with the Davis Cup team I really got a better perspective of how good he is and how he can dominate players. | "Having seen him up close with the Davis Cup team I really got a better perspective of how good he is and how he can dominate players. |
| "He is stronger, more aggressive and, under (coach) Brad Gilbert's expert guidance, he has a chance here, without doubt." | "He is stronger, more aggressive and, under (coach) Brad Gilbert's expert guidance, he has a chance here, without doubt." |
| Murray's projected fourth-round opponent, world number two Rafael Nadal, is also in action on Tuesday against American Robert Kendrick. | Murray's projected fourth-round opponent, world number two Rafael Nadal, is also in action on Tuesday against American Robert Kendrick. |
| Nadal has declared himself fit after picking up a thigh problem but he will be wary of Kendrick, who took two sets off him at Wimbledon last summer. | Nadal has declared himself fit after picking up a thigh problem but he will be wary of Kendrick, who took two sets off him at Wimbledon last summer. |
| Maria Sharapova opens the action on Rod Laver Arena against France's Camille Pin. | Maria Sharapova opens the action on Rod Laver Arena against France's Camille Pin. |
| The Russian is the top seed in Melbourne but has not gone further than the semi-finals in the last two seasons. | The Russian is the top seed in Melbourne but has not gone further than the semi-finals in the last two seasons. |
| "I might not have that many matches under my belt but I feel fresh, I feel healthy, which is most important," said Sharapova. | "I might not have that many matches under my belt but I feel fresh, I feel healthy, which is most important," said Sharapova. |
| Fourth seed Kim Clijsters begins what is set to be her last Australian Open against in-form Russian Vasilisa Bardina while three-time champion Martina Hingis takes on Nathalie Dechy. | Fourth seed Kim Clijsters begins what is set to be her last Australian Open against in-form Russian Vasilisa Bardina while three-time champion Martina Hingis takes on Nathalie Dechy. |