Tennis-Novak sets up Murray clash in Tokyo

By Alastair Himmer

TOKYO, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Jiri Novak overcame fellow Czech Robin Vik 4-6 6-4 6-4 to set up a second-round clash with British number one Andy Murray at the Japan Open on Monday.

Novak recovered from a slow start in Tokyo to advance to the last 32 of a tournament the former world number five won in 2004.

The 31-year-old's reward will be a meeting with the 19-year-old Murray, who will be looking to earn points after a first-round exit at last week's Thailand Open. Murray was beaten in straight sets by fellow Briton Tim Henman in Bangkok, the ninth time this year the young Scot has failed at the first hurdle.

Murray is seeded number four in Tokyo and scheduled to meet world number one Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the $765,000 tournament. Henman is seeded 10th in Japan.

The top 16 seeds all received first-round byes.

Federer and the top seeds are unlikely to play until Wednesday after rain washed out several qualifying matches at the weekend, leaving organisers with a backlog to clear.

More rain is forecast during the week and only the Tokyo venue's centre court has a retractable roof.

Japan's Takao Suzuki won on his return from a serious shoulder injury by thrashing Germany's Simon Greul 6-2 6-2.

The Japanese wildcard plays Asia's top player Paradorn Srichaphan next. The big-serving Thai is seeded number eight.

Denmark's Kenneth Carlsen knocked out Suzuki's compatriot Goichi Motomura with a 6-7 6-3 6-2 win while Argentina's Edgardo Massa overpowered Greek Konstantinos Economidis 6-3 6-1.

There was an early upset in the women's draw when Japan's Akiko Morigami beat third seed Maria Kirilenko of Russia 1-6 6-2 7-6. ((Editing by Clare Lovell London Sports Desk, Reuters Messaging: clare.lovell.reuters.com@reuters.net, 44 207 542 7933))

Keywords: SPORT TENNIS JAPAN