Andy Murray has decided to miss next month's Davis Cup encounter against Slovakia because of minor injury concerns following the Australian Open.

I'm gutted to miss out on the Davis Cup having really enjoyed playing last year.

But, as it's only the start of an important season, which includes the Olympics in London, it's probably a sensible decision.

I've been told to take a few weeks off after picking up a few minor injuries in Australia.

My focus in 2012 is on performing well in the Grand Slams and the Olympics. I look forward to playing in the next Davis Cup tie later in the year.[…

An Australian Open semi-final that stumbled, sparked and spluttered, finally scorched its way into a pulsating fifth set, as Novak Djokovic edged out Andy Murray 6-3 3-6 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 7-5 to bully his way into the title match once again.

In slick conditions on a cloudless night on Rod Laver Arena, Murray and his friend laid on a tennis match that at times defied description. Not compelling enough throughout to be hailed a classic, it nevertheless delivered tight, seat-edge drama for the best part of five hours.

For the Scot, the first set was a forgettable litany of unforced errors, break points and…

Andy Murray has stormed into his seventh slam semi-final in the last nine events, with a 6-3 6-3 6-1 destruction of rising son Kei Nishikori.

On a cooler day, Murray never had to burn too brightly to see off the world number 26, who was clearly feeling the effects of the 14 sets he'd endured against Ebden, Benneteau and Tsonga.

In truth, the Scot will look back on the match with mixed feelings. There'll be satisfaction in negating the smoking backcourt play of the Japanese, but disappointment at landing only 44% of his first serves. However, as Tim Henman once memorably observed, "There's no 'remarks' colu…

Andy Murray cruised into the quarter finals of the Australian Open today. The Scot was leading 6-1, 6-1, *1-0 when his opponent, Mikhail Kukushkin, retired.

Kukushkin, ranked 92 in the world, came into this match on the back of two hard fought five set victories. From the outset it was obvious the 24 year old Kazakh player was not 100% fit, and he immediately dropped serve and fell 3-0 behind. A momentary lapse in concentration handed a break back, but the Scot quickly reasserted himself and cantered through the rest of the set without dropping a game.

The second set followed the same pattern as the…

Andy Murray chipped, volleyed and lobbed his way into the second week of the Australian Open with a hugely entertaining 6-4, 6-2, 6-0 victory over Michael Llodra.

The Frenchman's game is a throwback to the last century: a big leftie serve with slice, serve and volley and chip and charge in abundance. Realising that he had little chance of beating Murray from the baseline, Llodra spoke pre-match about the need to be aggressive and dictate from the net. He was true to his word, approaching wherever possible and putting Murray under pressure whenever the Scot dropped a ball short.

Whilst not an ultimately suc…

Andy Murray today sauntered through the second round of the Australian Open with a comprehensive thrashing of Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Murray lubricated the Frenchman's departure from the tournament 6-1 6-4 6-4, to set up a third-round clash with his compatriot, Michael Llodra.
 
In truth, the scoreline flattered Roger-Vasselin, with Murray dominant in every area of the court. At 5-0 in the first set, a whitewash looked likely, but the Frenchman dutifully turned the bagel into a baguette with some uninhibited tennis.

Murray will look back on this match as nothing more than a useful loosener, with the 28-…

Andy Murray struggled into the second round of the Australian Open earlier this morning, battling past both Ryan Harrison and the brutal heat of Hisense Arena.

Murray came through 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 against the buoyant Harrison, who looks to be another prospect on the conveyor belt of young, American talent.

It was the 19-year-old Harrison who made the first impression, chasing every ball as if it were his last. He swarmed over any loose ends coming his way and, going against his lower ranking, clinched the first break as Murray struggled to live with Harrison’s power at the net.

Harrison, bu…

Andy Murray will have to be on red alert when he begins his Australian Open campaign against highly-rated American teenager Ryan Harrison.

If the Scot progresses, he could face Gael Monfils in the last sixteen with a possible quarter final against Jo Wilfried Tsonga.

Murray would then likely face the daunting challenge of defending champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.

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Andy Murray's new year got off to the best possible start, as he trounced Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1 6-3 in just 67 minutes in the final of the Brisbane International, to collect his 22nd ATP tour title.

Although Dolgopolov was dogged by a groin injury, this was a solid display right from the off, with the world number four outrunning, outhitting and outfoxing the Ukrainian in a clinical display of power tennis.

Murray, whose serve was superb throughout, declared his intentions from the first game, with a solid opener that concluded with an ace. Although Dolgopolov levelled in the next game, the Scot then ree…

Andy Murray and young Aussie Bernard Tomic both play with a particularly beguiling brand of wizardry. However, master Murray dismissed his apprentice today, 6-3 6-2, to move into the final of the Brisbane International.

Before the approving gaze of new coach Ivan Lendl, the world number four was faster, smarter and slicker than the 19 year old throughout.

However, with Tomic initially chopping, slicing, spinning and driving with equal aplomb, it was 4-3 before Murray secured the break, serving out the set decisively with two aces.

Murray broke immediately at the start of the second, which saw the world number 42 attended to by the ATP trainer for a foot…