Murray battles to victory

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Murray battled to a 7-5 6-3 win in Indian Wells in his first singles match since being forced to withdraw before his quarter-final with Richard Gasquet in Dubai last month.

"I feel okay, I knew it was going to be a tough match," Murray told Sky Sports Xtra. "He's a tough player, he makes a lot of balls and plays a lot closer to the baseline on hard courts than I've seen before on clay."

He added: "I'm pretty happy with the way I came back after going a break down in the first set."

Murray saved two break points before Montanes secured that opening break in the third game of the set, but the Spaniard would be made to pay for crucial errors as the match progressed.

A double fault gifted Murray the break back - Montanes unsuccessfully challenging the line judge's call - and although he saved two set points in the 10th game, another double fault proved crucial.

It came in the 12th game and handed Murray the set after 55 minutes, the world number four delighted to gain the upper hand.

Murray had to save a break point in the fifth game of the second set to keep his nose in front and, after breaking for a 5-3 lead, served out for the match and a welcome win.

"I wanted to see how I felt," added the 21-year-old, who missed Britain's Davis Cup defeat to Ukraine in Glasgow with the virus which forced his withdrawal in Dubai. "It's good to know I can last in this heat.

"That match was 90 minutes long and I feel okay just now. I thought I moved really, really well and got some balls I normally might not but the rest of my game needs some work. I don't have any expectations this week."