Murray stepping into unknown territory

Published on Wednesday 4 November 2009 21:54

ANDY Murray will take a step into the unknown when he returns to action in the second round of the Valencia Open today.

Murray breezed through his first match for six weeks as he began his campaign in Spain on Tuesday. The world No 4 beat Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-3, 6-1, giving an opponent who was handed a wild card into the tournament no hope of an upset.

Now, after having a day to prepare for his second-round clash, Murray faces Argentine Leonardo Mayer, who he has never previously played.

Reflecting on his win, Murray said: "At first I struggled a bit to get into the match because I had been so long without playing, but gradually I felt more comfortable. My goal is to get more rhythm and confidence back in my game."

Murray and his next opponent Mayer were born on the same day – 15 May, 1987 – but they are worlds apart in terms of their careers. Murray has won 13 tour titles, including five so far this year, and has already made a fortune in playing earnings during his career, while world No64 Mayer has only just started to make an impact at the highest level.

Tuesday also saw the announcement that Murray has signed a new kit deal with adidas, which will take effect from the start of 2010.

He currently wears Fred Perry-branded sportswear – Perry was the last British man to win the Wimbledon men's singles – but has agreed a deal reportedly due to last for five years with German-based company adidas.

The deal will boost Murray's off-court earnings, and he said: "Joining a list of stars who have worn the brand, including Muhammad Ali and David Beckham, is an honour. I'm in no doubt that this deal will help me both on and off the court."

He will wear the kit in competition for the first time at the Hopman Cup in January.

Providing the wrist injury which had kept him sidelined since Great Britain's Davis Cup defeat by Poland in September does not affect Murray, he should ease past Mayer today.

Mayer upset Russia's Igor Andreev 6-3, 6-3 in his opener.

Meanwhile, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga retired in the first round of the Valencia Open with a wrist injury while trailing 6-7 (7-3), 6-0, 3-0 to Mikhail Youzhny of Russia.

The third-seeded Frenchman had dropped nine straight games before quitting with the left wrist problem. Tsonga had dominated the tie-break by using a drop shot and then an ace to take a 5-2 lead before clinching the first set when Youzhny returned wide.

Fifth-seeded Gilles Simon of France defeated Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to become the first player to reach the quarter-finals.

In another first-round match, Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia beat Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-4, 6-3.