Murrays delayed by Beijing rain

Rain meant play at the Olympic Tennis Centre was called off at 7pm local time

Great Britain's Andy and Jamie Murray saw their Olympic debuts delayed as rain ruined the opening day of the tennis tournament in Beijing.

Only nine matches were completed, with James Blake among those progressing and Roger Federer unable to get on court.

The Murray brothers will now play Canada's Daniel Nestor and Frederick Niemeyer at around 1300 BST on Monday.

That is after Andy Murray plays his opening singles match against Chinese Taipei's Lu Yen-Hsun at 1000 BST.

In a packed schedule, Tuesday will also see soon-to-be world number one Rafael Nadal of Spain take on Italy's Potito Starace.

On Monday, Niemeyer won the first set of his match against Guillermo Canas before retiring with an elbow injury, but expects to be fit to face the Murray brothers.

I'm in the position to go out there and get a medal for my country James Blake

Blake said he was inspired by watching swimmer Michael Phelps storm to victory in the Olympic 400m individual medley.

"Sitting there watching Michael Phelps set a world record was special, because it made me realise how many people are inspired by him," said Blake.

"Now I'm in the position to have that opportunity, to go out there and get a medal for my country. Today was hopefully the first step towards that."

Athens bronze medallist Fernando Gonzalez of Chile eased past China's Sun Peng 6-4 6-4, and Czech Tomas Berdych dropped only three games in beating China's Yu Xinyuan.

In the women's draw, Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, Samantha Stosur of Australia, Italian Francesca Schiavone and Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova all progressed.

But American Serena Williams, China's Peng Shuai, Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia and Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic were all left kicking their heels in the locker room as rain interrupted their matches.

Williams was on and off court before the heavens opened with her leading 6-3 2-1 against Olga Govortsova.