BRITISH No.1 Andy Murray returns to competitive action on Wednesday for the first time since his Australian Open Final defeat to Novak Djokovic.
The Scot is in Rotterdam contesting the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament on indoor hardcourts and faces a tricky first-round clash against world No.20 Marcos Baghdatis.
Murray, 23, won the ATP 500 event in 2009 with a victory over world No.1 Rafael Nadal but is seeded second in Holland behind world No.4 and defending champion Robin Soderling.
Tricky describes his match-up with Baghdatis because the Cypriot leads their head to head 2-1.
His opponent won their first two meetings (Wimbledon 2006, ATP Cincinnati 2007) but Murray triumphed last year in four sets when the pair met in the last 32 of the French Open.
Given that 25-year-old Baghdatis' two wins were four and five years back respectively Murray should advance.
However, his opponent is enjoying a resurgence in form, is also a former Australian Open finalist, dogged and determined and rarely loses matches without a fight.
Take in to account this is also Murray's return we could be looking at a three-setter. The Dunblane ace to advance in two sets is 8-13 with William Hill. Murray 2-1 is worth consideration and is on offer at a tempting 10-3 with Skybet and boylesports.
Baghdatis 2-0 is 15-2 with Blue Square and 888sport, 2-1 available at 8-1 with bet365.
Soderling is in action on Tuesday in a battle of the Robins. Dutchman Robin Haase provides the opposition and while he will have the home support the Swede should go through.
Soderling is 1-5 with boylesports while Haase is 4-1 at Stan James. Boylesports are offering 3-1 on Murray to clinch his 17th Tour title in Rotterdam and you will get Soderling at 7-2. David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic are 10-1
Ace Bet
- Murray 2-1 (10-3, Skybet and boylesports).
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