August 20th, 2009 by Peter Bevan

Andy Murray will face Radek Stepanek in round three after beating Nicolas Almagro.

Andy Murray is on course to winning his second consecutive Masters series title with victory over Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (3), 6-2 in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters, overcoming a rain delay in the process.

Andy Murray, who will become the new world number two when the new ATP world rankings are announcd, beat Novak Djokovic in the 2008 Cincinnati Masters final to win his first ever ATP 1000 Masters series title.

Andy Murray has had little time to prepare having won the Montreal Masters, otherwise known as the Rogers Cup, last Sunday in three sets against Juan Martin Del Potro.

Winning the ATP 500 Washington title two weeks ago and then reaching the Rogers Cup final last week seems to have taken its toll on Juan Martin Del Potro.

The world number six has pulled out of the Cincinnati Masters due to fatigue, tournament organisers announced. Hopefully taking time out means Juan Martin Del Potro will feature in the upcoming Grand Slam: the US Open, which begins on August 31.

Andy Murray will now face Radek Stepanek in the third round of the Cincinnati Masters.

Andy Murray has complimented Radek Stepanek’s approach to games, describing him as a tricky player as he serves and volleys a lot.

Andy Murray claims that he will have to overcome any  mind games and return well in order to make it through to the Cincinnati Masters quarter finals.

Elsewhere in the tournament, world number one Roger Federer beat Jose Ascuso 6-3, 7-5 and David Ferrer awaits him in the third round.

Current world number two Rafael Nadal had to win two tie breaks 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) to eventually beat Andreas Seppi and will face Paul-Henri Mathieu in round three.

World number four Novak Djokovic beat Ivan Ljubicic 7-5, 6-4 and will next face Jeremy Chardy.

However, there were defeats for world number five Andy Roddick and world number seven Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Andy Roddick lost 7-6 (11), 7-6 (3) to fellow American Sam Querrey, whilst Jo-Wilfried Tsonga lost 7-6 (12), 6-2 to qualifier Chris Guccione.

Not only are players gearing  towards the upcoming US Open, a place in the world’s top eight and qualification for the ATP World Tour Finals is at stake, the end-of-season tournament.

The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals takes place from November 22 at the London O2 Arena.

Hundreds of ATP World Tour Finals tickets for each day of the tournament are still available to compare at tixdaq.com