ANDY MURRAY was all set for another chance to test himself on clay in Barcelona today – and there was going to be a familiar face on the other side of the net.
The British No.1 takes on Croatia's Mario Ancic for the third time this season, in the second round of the Open Sabadell Atlantico Barcelona.
The pair have one win apiece, with the matches producing very different emotions for Murray.
Their fi
rst meeting saw the Scot pick up his second title of the season in Marseille as he triumphed 6-3, 6-4. But it was a different story in Miami last month as Ancic prevailed 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 – the first time Murray had lost having held match points.
Ancic is currently ranked 51st in the world but is a former top ten player and has shown signs of a return to something approaching his best form after missing most of last season through injury and illness.
The tall serve-volleyer is most at home on grass – he is a former Wimbledon semi-finalist and the last man to beat Roger Federer at SW19 – but served notice of his intent in the second round yesterday. Ancic demolished Mischa Zverev for the loss of only one game, and Murray, who is seeded seventh, may have hoped for an easier opening match as he bids to continue his rankings climb.
The 20-year-old's two victories at last week's Monte Carlo Masters – his best performance on clay – lifted him one place to 19th.
Although Murray's defeat in Monte Carlo by Novak Djokovic was emphatic, the Scot showed some encouraging signs.
"It was the first time I made the third round of a Masters Series on clay, which is good for me," Murray said following his exit.
The full article contains 310 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
