David Nalbandian Sets Up Clash With Murray

David Nalbandian has set up a second round clash with world number four Andy Murray after seeing off Kei Nishikori in his opening match.

Nalbandian was looking to end a three match losing streak but it was a nervy start from both players as their games were littered with errors.

The opening eight games went with serve, despite Nalbandian struggling on his own serve; double faulting six time in the opening set, until the Argentine found a way through.

The break came in the ninth game to lead 5-4 before he successfully closed out the opening set 6-4.

Into the second and Nalbandian lifted his level and started to produce tennis that he is best known for as his powerful play was too much for the Japanese player.

The serve also improved for Nalbandian as he held all five of his games and breaking Nishikori just once.

But that single break point chance was all that he needed to wrap up a 6-4 6-4 win and progress to the second round.

Nalbandian and Murray have faced each other four times and they have a 2-2 head to head. Murray will be looking to improve on a somewhat rusty performance in Montreal, where he crashed out in his opening match.

Fernando Verdasco was also in action yesterday as he faced Thomaz Bellucci in his opening match. The Spaniard has suffered from erratic form of late but produced a good performance to win in straight sets.

He got the first break under his belt early in the set to open up a 5-2 and it was enough to see him clinch the set 6-3.

Into the second and Verdasco faced a much stiffer challenge from Bellucci despite going and early break up to lead 2-0.

But Bellucci hit back in the sixth game to level the second set at 3-3. The pair were still locked together at 6-6 and a tie breaker was required.

But Bellucci was unable to keep up this level of play and it was the more experienced Verdasco who prevailed in the break 7-4 to take the match 6-3 7-6 (7-4).

He will now face either Michael Llodra or Mikhail Youzhny in the second round, they will play later today.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw