Murray to play either Lu or Chardy

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:43

The Scot, who took some time off after his semi-final defeat by Andy Roddick at the All England Club before a training stint in Miami, has a bye in the first round of the Masters 1000 event.

Murray, the third seed, lost his only previous meeting with world number 62 Lu at the Beijing Olympics last year, while he has never faced Frenchman Chardy, who is ranked 36th.

The British number one looks to have a tough task on his hands if he is to match last year’s semi-final appearance, with Gael Monfils, Marat Safin and Lleyton Hewitt all potential third-round opponents.

Murray is also in the same quarter as in-form Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Gonzalez, Ivo Karlovic and Wimbledon semi-finalist Tommy Haas, while Roger Federer is likely to be waiting in the last four.

World number one Federer confirmed on Friday he would be competing following the birth of his twin girls last month, while defending champion Rafael Nadal, who beat Murray in the semis last year, is in the other half of the draw.

The Spaniard is playing in his first tournament since his surprise defeat by Robin Soderling in the French Open fourth round at the end of May.

He subsequently missed Wimbledon because of tendinitis in his knees but has been receiving intensive treatment and returned to training three weeks ago.

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