Tennis News : Murray set for Kukushkin meeting

Murray pulled out of the ATP World Tour Finals in London with a groin injury

Britain's Andy Murray will start his 2012 season with a first-round match against Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin at the Brisbane International.

Top seed Murray will begin his bid for a 22nd ATP World Tour title at the hard court tournament on Tuesday night.

The world number four, who is making his debut at the event, said: "It's a tough draw [and] you never know how guys can improve in the off-season.

"There are a lot of good players here and young players as well."

MURRAY'S 2011 SEASON

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• Wins: 56


• Losses: 13


• Titles: 5


• Australia Open: Finalist (lost to Novak Djokovic)


• French Open: Semi-finals (lost to Rafael Nadal)


• Wimbledon: Semi-finals (lost to Nadal)


• US Open: Semi-finals (lost to Nadal)

The 2011 Australian Open runner-up is a strong favourite in a men's draw as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic all miss the event.

But Murray says Australian youngster Bernard Tomic, 19, former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis and Germany's Tommy Haas are all title threats.

"There are a lot of dangerous players here," the 24-year-old added.

The Scot, playing alongside Cypriot Baghdatis, will also take on Columbia's Santiagi Giraldo and Japan's Kei Nishikori in the men's doubles, in which Murray's brother Jamie will compete alongside Australia's Paul Hanley.

Murray, who struggled with a groin injury in November and had to pull out of the ATP World Tour Finals in London, has already had to dismiss concerns about the recurrence of an old knee injury after having treatment during practice on Friday.

Other notable draws see American Ryan Sweeting take on second-seeded Gilles Simon of France, while 2009 Wimbledon semi-finalist Haas plays Australian wildcard Marinko Matosevic.

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