Andy Murray continues his comeback from injury at the BNP Masters in Paris (FRA) tonight as he attempts to build on his title win in Valencia over the weekend.
The British No.1 begins the next stage of his preparation for the ATP World Tour Finals in London later this month, with a second round clash later this evening (after 1945 GMT) against American James Blake.
After receiving a bye in the first round, Murray meets Blake, a player he has fond memories of playing against after the Briton’s straight sets victory over the American at the AEGON Championships at Queens in June.
If the World No.4 can defeat Blake again, he will face either World No.13 Radek Stepanek (CZE) or Viktor Troicki (SRB) in the next round as he aims to regain full fitness after a six week break with a wrist injury.
"I want to play as many matches as possible so I'm match tight going into London," said Murray.
"I practised for about a week before Valencia and I didn't have any problems then I played five matches there, which was good, and it's not been too bad in any of the matches that I've played," the 22 year-old added.
Meanwhile Marit Safin (RUS) has been defeated 4-6, 7-5, 4-6 in Paris by World No.5 Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) in his last tournament before retirement. Despite failing to progress in Paris, the Russian bows out having enjoyed an illustrious career that has seen him claim 15 titles over a twelve year period.
US Open Champion Del Potro could potentially face Murray in the quarter-finals of the event in Paris but must first get past World No.10 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI).
Elsewhere on the men’s tour Paul Bishop is through to the second round of the $10k event in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico after teaming up with Christian Guevara (USA) to defeat the Mexican pairing Luis Miquel Flores and Daniel Garza 7-5, 6-2.
Mel South and Veronika Kapshay (UKR) have beaten wild card entrants Tatsiana Teterina (BLR) and Natallia Vavulina (BLR) 6-2, 6-2 in the opening round of the $50k Women's doubles event in Minsk (BLR) and now play Nadiya and Lyudmyla Kichenok (UKR) in the second round.