Tennis News : Murray wary of 'difficult' Llodra

Australian Open

• Venue: Melbourne Park


• Date: 16-29 January


• Coverage: Watch live on Eurosport; singles finals and one men's semi-final on BBC Two/Red Button/HD channel/website; listen on BBC Radio 5 live; text commentaries and reports on the BBC Sport website

Murray is on a seven-match winning streak against French opposition

Andy Murray is expecting an unusual challenge when he takes on Michael Llodra of France in the Australian Open third round at 0800 GMT on Saturday.

Murray won their two previous matches but Llodra has since established himself as one of the leading doubles players and a serve-volley expert.

"He makes it difficult because of the way he plays," said fourth seed Murray.

"You don't see guys playing like him much nowadays and it normally takes a little while to adjust."

Murray and Llodra contest the evening match on Hisense Arena, where the Scot also faced Ryan Harrison and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

Murray on Llodra's locker room antics

He was taken to four sets in an unconvincing victory over Harrison but swept past Roger-Vasselin 6-1 6-4 6-4.

That was Murray's seventh straight win against a French opponent - and a 37th in 38 encounters.

He will hope to extend that record when he challenges Llodra, who is ranked 46th in singles and fifth in doubles.

"He's been a great doubles player and very good at singles for a long time," said British number one Murray, who beat Llodra in Metz in 2007 and at the 2008 US Open.

"He's got a lot of experience. It's going to be tough but I have always enjoyed playing guys that come forward."

Llodra is one of the few leading players who still adopt a net-rushing style but he feels all-out attack provides him with the best chance of victory.

Continue reading the main story

I have nothing to lose. Everyone thinks he is going to destroy me but we will see on the court

Michael Llodra

The 31-year-old, who beat 32nd seed Alex Bogomolov Jr on Thursday, stated: "It's great - I have nothing to lose.

"Everyone thinks he [Murray] is going to destroy me but we will see on the court. Nothing has changed for me; I'm going to play my game. It's always fun to play a top-four guy in the world.

"It will be on a big court and I have to enjoy it. It's tough to play against him. He plays slow then fast and can do whatever he wants."

Llodra believes Murray's tendency to play defensively could present him with a chance, adding: "Sometimes he waits too much and simply tries to move the other guy.

"So I have to attack - that's my only chance to win. He's good from the baseline and good at the net. I have to put pressure on him."

Guy Forget, France's Davis Cup captain and a former world number four, told BBC Radio 5 live: "Andy is the favourite. He has a lot of experience and is a very complete player.

"Michael is a flamboyant player and against Murray we're going to see sparkles on court.

"It will be very difficult [for Llodra] but anything is possible and he'll give everything he has."

Related Video :