Australian Open 2012: Andy Murray in Big Trouble After Horrific Start

What a disastrous first round for Andy Murray at the 2012 Australian Open.

It took him over three hours in incredibly strong heat to fend off Ryan Harrison 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

The runner-up at Melbourne Park in 2010 and 2011 looked extremely flat on his return game and his overall foot speed was not up to his lofty standards.

To make matters even worse, on two separate occasions Murray grabbed his left hamstring after running down long shots. He also was favoring his ankle at times.

This was Murray’s first Grand Slam match with new coach Ivan Lendl. The Scot claims they are completely on the same page despite the rocky start:

"

He understands how you might be feeling at the start of a Grand Slam, what it's like to play against someone that you haven't played against, what it's like playing in different conditions, how you feel in really warm conditions.

"

That’s a weird answer in my eyes. It sounds like he is saying coach is OK with all of the excuses he had for taking three hours to beat one of the worst players in the field.

Now the Brit has to recover both mentally and physically in less than 48 hours to take on Edouard Roger-Vasselin. He dispatched of his first round opponent Xavier Malisse in only 64 minutes once he retired.

So, Roger-Vasselin enters the second round healthy and in peak physical shape while Murray already is experiencing the various ailments and fatigue of a player that usually doesn’t pop up until the grueling summer schedule.

Murray is still looking for his first career Grand Slam and it appears as if the 2012 Aussie Open is not going to be the one.

It’s a harsh way to start the year for the world’s No. 4 ranked player.