Murray absent as US hardcourt campaign opens

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (AFP) — Former champions James Blake and Dmitry Tursunov lead the way into the summer hardcourt season at the ATP Indianapolis Championships starting Monday after the pullout of Andy Murray.

The British number nine cited physical issues for his late withdrawal, the Scotsman saying on his website that he wanted to remain fresh for the upcoming Toronto and Cincinnati ATP Masters Series events later this month.

He also cited the tight schedule, which includes the Beijing Olympics preceeding the August 25 start of the US Open.

"Andy wants to take some rest and recharge his batteries before a very gruelling period, including the Beijing Olympics," added a spokesman on his website.

Murray was joined as an absentee in the Midwest by injured Asians Lee Hyung-Taik of South Korea, with an ankle injury, and Japan's Kei Nishikori, suffering with the stomach muscle pull that saw him retire in Wimbledon's ...