Andy Murray is confident an on-court analysis of Karol Beck will be sufficient at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
Beck represents a fresh challenge for British number one
British hope Andy Murray gets his Australian Open campaign under way on Tuesday against an opponent he admits to knowing little about.
Murray, seeded five for his latest attempt at winning a maiden major title, has never before played Karol Beck - a 28-year-old Slovakian - and declined to ask around for advice.
The match is scheduled third on the Hisense Arena.
"I haven't spoken to anyone that has played him," he said. "I haven't practised with him either.
"It will be one of those matches where you don't really know your opponent particularly well.
"I will have to work a few things out when I am on court."
Banned
Beck, who was banned for two years in 2006 for taking performance-enhancing drugs, was once as high as 36 in the world rankings but is now down at 101.
His grand slam record is equally modest with the best result being a run to the last 16 at the 2004 US Open.
"He's been around a long time and I think he plays like a lot of the Slovak, Czech players - he is a very flat hitter of the ball," added Murray.
"He's very talented and has been a good player in the past.
"He had some problems off the court a few years ago but he's obviously got a lot of experience so it will be a tough match."
The unpredictable Melbourne weather is likely to mean matches being played under the roof over the next fortnight and, as Murray points out, that makes a noticeable difference to the conditions.
Speed
"The ball moves a lot quicker (when the roof is open)," he noted.
"But every court here is going to feel slightly different pace wise.
"I think the Rod Laver Arena is perhaps a little slower while Margaret Court Arena feels pretty quick.
"But when the roof is on it definitely slows the ball down. I remember playing Kevin Anderson here in the first round last year. He had not been broken the whole time through qualifying and the ball just wasn't going anywhere, which worked to my advantage."
