Murray finds form in 2009 opener

Murray was in excellent form on the backhand side especially

Andy Murray began his final preparation for the 2009 ATP season with victory over American James Blake in Abu Dhabi, setting up a clash with Roger Federer.

The British number one came through 6-2 6-2 in his opening match at the three-day exhibition in the UAE.

Murray will now face world number two Federer in the semi-finals on Friday.

Federer and world number one Rafael Nadal had byes into the last four, with Nadal to face Nikolay Davydenko after the Russian beat Andy Roddick 6-4 6-4.

"It's the first time I've played James in about three years so I expected it to be a tough match," said Murray, "but I played much better than expected for the first match of the year."

Murray was playing Blake for only the second time, with the American having won their first encounter on clay in Hamburg in 2006.

We played a few times last year and I played well against him but this is great preparation for the Australian Open Murray on facing Federer

But the Scot is a much-improved player now and began the season in the style of a world number four, breaking serve immediately.

A flicked backhand cross-court winner and a powerful forehand hooked down the line gave Murray a double break for 4-1 and he served out the set in 23 minutes without facing a single break point.

Blake, the world number 10, played a woeful game to give up serve to love at the start of the second set and wasted a break-back chance in the following game.

Murray, 21, was in full flow now and his superb returning overwhelmed Blake, the Scot sealing yet another break with a delicate backhand lob over the helpless American.

He served out the match comfortably enough and will now take on Federer when the Swiss begins his year in Friday's semi-final.

606: DEBATE I would put Murray as second favourite behind Federer for the Australian Open lionrustbucket

Murray has a 4-2 record against Federer and won three of their four matches in 2008, but lost in the US Open final.

"That should be a fun match," said the Briton.

"We played a few times last year and I played well against him but this is great preparation for the Australian Open. I'll try and keep the same form for tomorrow."

Murray will head to Doha, along with Federer and Nadal, when the ATP season begins next Monday, with the Australian Open getting under way on 19 January.

Earlier, Roddick suffered a comprehensive straight-sets defeat in his first match under the guidance of Larry Stefanki.

The former coach of Fernando Gonzalez, Tim Henman and Marcelo Rios could do nothing to help the American overcome an impressive Davydenko.

"Nikolay played a great game," said Roddick. "I could have done better but this was just my first match of the year. Hopefully, the game will be much better than what it was today."