ATP Shanghai Masters: Andy Murray vs. Dmitry Tursunov

Andy Murray begins the defence of his Shanghai Masters title against Russia's Dmitry Tursunov.

Murray has been in sublime form on the Asian swing as he seeks to end a successful 2011 season on a high and overtake Roger Federer in the rankings. Murray has won back to back titles in Bangkok and Tokyo, beating Rafael Nadal in the Japan Open final at the weekend.

"[I] went into this stretch with the right mindset," Murray told the press. "After the US Open finished, [I] sat down [and] kind of made some goals between now and the end of the year. [I] gave myself that extra little motivation, that extra little push for the last few tournaments."

"I've been doing things more professionally this year. I've been looking after my body better. I've taken necessary breaks. I've just been trying to pace myself a bit better, and that's definitely helped."

Providing Murray does not run out of gas, he will take some stopping this week and he's won all of his five matches against Tursunov in the past. The Russian did not look particularly impressive in the opening round, battling past Thomaz Bellucci in three sets and few will give him much of a chance against Murray, a player he's only ever taken one set off in five encounters.