Andy Murray gets his Australian Open campaign underway against Karol Beck later on Monday night.
Murray has been in confident mood ahead of the first major of the year, saying that his run to the final in 2010 has left him more mentally prepared as he tries to win his first Grand Slam title. He looked in good form at the Hopman Cup, enjoying wins over the likes of John Isner and Nicolas Mahut.
Beck is something of an unknown prospect for Murray. They have never played before and the fifth seed admits he has done little research on the world number 101.
"I haven't spoken to anyone that has played him. I haven't practised with him. I will have to work a few things out when I am on court." he said.
Beck was once ranked in the top 50, reaching a high of 36 in the world but since receiving a two year ban for performance enhancing drug abuse in 2006, he has not been the same player. At his best he is a ferocious ball striker with hard, flat groundstrokes off both sides.
However Murray's defensive skills are more than enough to deal with the Slovak and with rain forecasted, they are likely to be competing under the roof on Rod Laver Arena which means slower conditions, playing into Murray's favour.
“When the roof is on it definitely slows the ball down. I remember playing Kevin Anderson here in the first round last year,” Murray said. "He had not been broken the whole time through qualifying and the ball just wasn't going anywhere, which worked to my advantage."
