Tennis: Murray to play Kooyong tour

World number four Andy Murray has admitted he is short of match practice ahead of this month's Australian Open by asking for a one-off appearance at next week's Kooyong Classic.

Murray, who is contesting the Brisbane International, will play Argentinian David Nalbandian as an additional feature at Kooyong next Friday.

The 2010 and 2011 Australian Open runner-up will line up against the former world No.3 Nalbandian under the watchful eye of new coach Ivan Lendl.

Lendl, a former world No.1, was one of the hardest workers on the tour and has replaced Australian part-timer Darren Cahill as Murray's fulltime coach.

He clearly feels the Scot is a little under-prepared approaching the first grand slam of the season.

Kooyong Classic tournament director Colin Stubs said he agreed to stage an extra match after being told Murray was looking for more game time.

Nalbandian, now ranked 34th, is also using the Kooyong event as a springboard to the new season.

The 30-year-old is aiming to get off to a good start to the year after recovering from two leg operations last March.

Kooyong will also be the platform for Australia's top-ranked player, Bernard Tomic.

Tomic, ranked 42nd and on the rise following his strong run at this week's Brisbane International, will compete against a world-class field including French stars Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and American No.14 Andy Roddick.

- AAP