Murray to play it off the cuff in Melbourne

Murray has never faced the 28-year-old Slovakian on the ATP Tour but will work out the best method for victory when the contest gets under way.

"I haven't spoken to anyone that has played him," he said. "I haven't practised with him either.

"It will be one of those matches where you don't really know your opponent particularly well. I will have to work a few things out when I am on court."

Beck, who was banned for two years for taking performance-enhancing drugs five years ago, is unlikely to have the tools to trouble the British No 1.

The Zvolen-born right-hander reached a career high of 36 in the world in 2005 but is now at 101.

His grand slam record is equally modest with his best result a run to the last 16 at the 2004 US Open.

World No 5 Murray does not expect an easy ride at the Hisense Arena. The Scot said: "He's been around a long time and I think he plays like a lot of the Slovak, Czech players – he is a very flat hitter of the ball.

"He's very talented and has been a good player in the past.

"He had some problems off the court a few years ago but he's obviously got a lot of experience so it will be a tough match."

The notoriously unpredictable Melbourne weather is likely to mean matches being played under the roof over the next fortnight and, as Murray points out, that makes a noticeable difference to the conditions.

He added: "The ball moves a lot quicker when the roof is open. But every court here is going to feel slightly different pace wise."

Murray will be aiming to match the first round victories of fellow Brits Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong.

Baltacha enjoyed a feisty 3-6 6-4 7-5 win over American qualifier Jamie Hampton and Keothavong beat Arina Rodionova 7-5 6-4.

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic also gave early notice of their intention to halt the "Rafa Slam".

Rafael Nadal's quest to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four grand slam titles simultaneously has captured the imagination but Federer and Djokovic are out to stop him. Federer cruised past Lukas Lacko 6-1 6-1 6-3 and Djokovic had a 6-1 6-3 6-1 win over Marcel Granollers.