Murray to face Roddick in opener

World number four Andy Murray will face Andy Roddick in his first-ever Masters Cup match at 1200 GMT on Monday.

The Briton has been drawn in the red group alongside Roddick, Roger Federer and Gilles Simon for the season-ending event in Shanghai.

Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro, Nikolay Davydenko and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga make up the gold group, which gets under way at 0600 GMT on Sunday.

World number one Rafael Nadal pulled out on Monday because of fatigue.

In the absence of the Spaniard, Federer is the highest ranked player competing in Shanghai.

Murray lost to Federer in the final of the US Open in September but recently beat him in the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters.

The 21-year-old also beat Frenchman Simon in the final in Madrid.

"To be among the top eight players in the world is a great feeling," said Murray. "It's my first time in Shanghai, but I have heard from all the other players that it is a fantastic tournament."

Murray takes his place in Shanghai after his most successful year on the ATP tour, with his appearance in the US Open final joining back-to-back Masters Series titles in Madrid and Cincinnati on an increasingly impressive CV.

His performances have earned him a growing list of admirers, with tennis legend Bjorn Borg the latest to offer words of praise.

"Everybody was a little sceptical when I said that but look what Andy has been producing this year. He has improved his physical condition, his mental aspect.

"He is one of the top players and has been winning Masters series. He knows he can beat every single player in the world and he is just improving more and more."

Bjorg also tipped Murray to win a Grand Slam title next year, something that has not been done by a male British tennis player since Fred Perry in 1936.

"It's going to be a very interesting year for Andy and, in general, for British tennis," said Bjorg. "I pick Federer, Nadal and Murray to win Grand Slam tournaments next year."