Andy Murray opens his Indian Wells campaign against Vasek Pospisil
Saturday 14 March 2015 12:06, UK
Andy Murray begins his quest for a first Masters title at Indian Wells when he opens his campaign against Vasek Pospisil in the second round on Saturday.
The British No 1 reached the final six years ago, losing out to Rafael Nadal, but has failed to make an impression in the Californian desert since then.
Murray suffered poor losses to Gilles Simon and Croatian teenager Borna Coric at tournaments in Rotterdam and Dubai last month.
But he climbed back to world No 4 thanks to his Davis Cup victories over Donald Young and John Isner to book the team's place in the quarter-finals.
The two-time Grand Slam champion takes on the talented Pospisil on a high supported by his coach Amelie Mauresmo and buoyed by the news that Jonas Bjorkman will be joining his team for a trial week in the next month.
Pospisil reached the second round after his opponent Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakstan retired injured and is expected to prove a tricky customer for the Scot.
The pair have met twice before with Murray having won both encounters, including victory at the recent tournament in Rotterdam, 6-3 7-5.
The hard-hitting Canadian, who stands at 6ft 4in tall, has been playing with a more aggressive style that fits his athleticism since the start of the year although he holds a 6-6 win-loss record.
The pair will slug it out third on Stadium Court 1 (at around 9pm GMT) after Madison Brengle takes on Flavia Pennetta and Japanese trailblazer Kei Nishikori faces Ryan Harrison.
Also in action, reigning champion Novak Djokovic opens his campaign against Marcos Baghdatis. The Serb world No 1, Nadal and Roger Federer have won 10 of the past 11 Indian Wells titles and he will be favourite to land a fourth title at the first major tournament of the spring.
In-form Spaniard David Ferrer faces Ivan Dodig while on the women's side of the draw Maria Sharapova, Eugenie Bouchard, Victoria Azarenka and Sabine Lisicki are all in action.
Live ATP Masters Tennis
Watch Murray v Pospisil the ATP Masters 1000 from Indian Wells live on Sky Sports. For more information on times, head to: http://www1.skysports.com/watch/tennis-on-sky
