Hotshot Murray plays too close to the sun

British tennis star Andy Murray was today left more than a little red faced after falling foul of the searing temperatures in Australia. .

While many at home are suffering in the big freeze Murray, 22, who is competing in the Hopman Cup in Perth, confessed that he had become sunburnt while practising topless in temperatures of about 35C.

After cruising through his two singles matches Murray said it was the heat that was causing him trouble. "My back is on fire," he said. "I practised yesterday with my shirt off and I got so, so burnt."

He was speaking after he and teenager Laura Robson pushed Great Britain closer to a place in the Hopman Cup final with a 2-1 win over Germany. After Robson lost to Sabine Lisicki 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in the opening rubber, Murray overcame Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4 6-1 in less than an hour. The pair then won the mixed doubles 6-3 6-2 to ensure that Britain moved top of Group B with their second win in as many ties.

Murray revealed after the Kazakhstan match on Monday that he would like to partner Robson at the 2012 Olympics. He joked then that his back was sore after the first match as he had carried Robson, but the 15-year-old said today she had got her own back this time: "I think I carried him today. It was a lot of fun."