Back of the net: Five days to the weekend...

Andy Murray reached the quarter-finals last year and, after suffering a disappointingly early exit in last week's Valencia Open, the Scot will be seeking an extended run in what is the final Masters Series event of the year. World No 1 Rafael Nadal will not be present due to a shoulder injury so Roger Federer is the highest-ranked player in the field. Novak Djokovic is defending the title he won last year and expect a highly-competitive tournament as players battle for the last remaining places at the season-ending ATP World Finals in London.

Tuesday

n ALL eyes on Pittodrie as Aberdeen try to recover from the humiliating 9-0 defeat by Celtic on Saturday. Inverness Caledonian Thistle are the visitors and Terry Butcher's side are unbeaten on the road this season so it could be another gruelling night for the Dons. Defeat is likely to make manager Mark McGhee's position untenable. Even if the Dons win, there's no respite for the struggling North-East side who face Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday.

Wednesday

A BUSY night of SPL action with five games being played including a couple of Edinburgh-Glasgow clashes. Hearts' home game against Celtic is the pick of the bunch with Jim Jefferies' side looking to build on their derby win over Hibs. At Ibrox, Rangers take on Hibs with Colin Calderwood hoping to arrest a run of three straight defeats since taking over at Easter Road. Elsewhere, third-placed Motherwell host St Johnstone, Kilmarnock entertain Hamilton and Dundee United face St Mirren.

Thursday

Tiger Woods returns to Melbourne to defend his Australian Masters title but he's not the only big name in an impressive field. Sergio Garcia, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas will all be teeing up at the Victoria Golf Club. The European Tour, meanwhile, continues its Asian swing with the Barclays Singapore Open.

Friday

OFFICIAL practice begins for the final grand prix of the Formula One season in Abu Dhabi. The grand prix made its debut last year and saw Sebastian Vettel win to take second place in the drivers' championship in what was F1's first-ever day-night race. This year it will again be staged at the Yas Marina circuit.