Murray will play either Michael Berrer or Xavier Malisse in his opening match

By Kheredine Idessane BBC Scotland in Toronto

Andy Murray may have to beat Rafa Nadal if he is to become the first male player in 15 years to successfully defend a Canadian Open title.

The Scot is seeded to face the world number one in the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

Murray, 23, received a bye in the first round and will face either Germany's Michael Berrer or Xavier Malisse.

Nadal is seeded to meet Andy Roddick in the quarter-finals, while Roger Federer could face Tomas Berdych.

Should the Scot get through his opening match, he could face the French 15th seed Gael Monfils.

And the fifth seed Robin Soderling is a potential opponent in the quarter finals.

"With so many good players around, the tough matches start from the first and second round," he told BBC Scotland.

"But I always enjoy playing in Canada. I've had good results here since the juniors.

"The courts suit my game and I'm looking forward to it."

Murray has not won a title in 2010, his last triumph coming in the Valencia Open last November.

He reached the final of the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles last week, but lost out in three sets to the American Sam Querrey.

Belgian Malisse has reached the semi-finals of the Legg Mason Classic in Washington, beating Berdych in the process.

Federer is also seeking his first Masters tournament win this year and will be keen to avoid a rematch with his Wimbledon conqueror Berdych.

The world number two Novak Djokovic, who is playing doubles with Nadal, is seeded to meet the sixth seed Russian Nikolay Davydenko in the last eight.

The tournament, which gets under way on Saturday, runs until 15 August.

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