Murray aiming to outmuscle rivals

"I was supposed to be doing my maximum chin-up test last week, and I didn't get round to doing it. But with the 20-kilo weight I do three sets of five."

Murray believes the hiring of his team of support staff has been crucial in developing his strength and stamina - he works with trainers and a physio who join him at tournaments around the world.

The focus on physique has been in response to adverse comments from former players and coaches who believe he needs to work harder to have a genuine chance of winning a Grand Slam while Roger Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic are in the top three places.

Now that Murray has finished his latest growth spurt, he is happy to spend more time in the gym pumping weights and said: "When I was 16 and 17-years-old, I needed to be careful not to do too many weights because I was growing a lot.

"Your muscles and your bones are still developing, and it's easy to develop stress fractures or chronic problems. I kind of eased off that a little bit when I was around that age. I spent a lot of time on court and not as much time in the gym. Now it's been reversed a little bit and I am getting in the gym, maybe not spending as much time on the court as I used to.

"I want to put on sort of three, four more kilos, and then that will be my weight for the rest of my career. I don't really want to get above 86 or 87 kilos."

Murray will follow his tried and trusted "off day" routine in the build up to tomorrow's potentially difficult clash with Malisse, whose is regaining his form after a series of injuries.

The British No1 will walk his dog then head to the practise courts for a gentle hit and think about putting in a few sets of those chin-ups.

Malisse is a former top 20 player (in 2002) but was restricted to just five tournaments by a wrist injury last year - the same kind of problem that kept Murray off court for four months.

But that semi-final at Wimbledon six years ago proves he can play on grass and the Belgian said: "It will be tough and he [Murray] is going to be the favourite. But I feel like I'm playing well and hopefully I can give him a tough match and come out on top."

Santoro tested Murray's mental strength by constantly asking questions with his heavily-sliced shots and ability to use clever angles.

After coming off second best, the veteran French player, who retires at the end of the year, said: "I think Andy was moving well, returning quite good. For sure he can do something well on grass because he's fast, he has good hands, very big first serve. But it's impossible to answer the question, to say if he's going to reach the quarters or lose next round.

"When you are 20, 21 years old, you can improve many things in a couple of years so quickly. When you look at the way Nadal is playing now compared to three or four years ago, he improved a lot between 18 and 22. It's the same for Djokovic between 18 and 21.

"I know Andy wants to have a great career and he's working hard. I am sure he won't be the same player in three or four years. "

If Murray continues to put on the muscle bulk thanks to that 20 kilo weight then Santoro could be absolutely right.