Andy Murray ready for tough Simon test

Andy Murray continues his quest for a first Masters Cup title when he meets Gilles Simon at 1000 GMT on Wednesday.

Both won their opening games in Shanghai, which means the winner will be on the verge of the semi-finals.

Simon beat Roger Federer in his opener and Andy Murray , who beat Andy Roddick, said: "To beat Roger Federer twice in a year is something not many have done.

"So he is going to be feeling very confident and I'm sure it will be a great match."

Federer and Roddick will meet at 1200 GMT with the loser almost certain to be eliminated before the semi-finals.

British number one Andy Murray has a 2-1 head-to-head record over the in-form Simon, most recently defeating the Frenchman in the final of the Madrid Masters in October.

Simon was a last-minute replacement for injured world number one Rafael Nadal and, like Andy Murray , is making his Masters Cup debut.

"In Madrid he was pretty tired after playing some long, tough matches," said Andy Murray . "But he was still hitting shots that would suggest he obviously had a lot of confidence

"He's going to be the same (here), I'm sure.

"He's a very good player. If he plays well it's going be a very tough match. If I play badly there's a good chance I'll lose."

Murray suffered a mid-match slump in his opening 6-4 1-6 6-1 victory over American Roddick in Shanghai and afterwards complained about the effects of jet-lag.

An extra day's rest should give him a boost for the Simon match but the 21-year-old admits he is already looking forward to taking a rest when the Masters Cup is over.

"I can't wait [for the break] to be honest," said Murray, who plans to do some warm-weather training in Miami over the winter.

"This is a big tournament for the players but there are a lot of things you need to get over to feel good in the matches.

"I've been doing all the right things but the body is not responding to them as well as it was a few months ago.

"I'm really looking forward to having some time off and only four more matches to go hopefully."