Andy Murray has been handed a relatively easy start to his 2008 season having been drawn against Belgium's Olivier Rochus in the opening round of the Qatar Open.

The 20-year-old Scot, who finished the 2007 season ranked 11th in the world, is seeded third for the tournament and should meet top seed Nikolay Davydenko in the semi finals barring any shock defeats.

The British number one has said he is the best prepared he has ever been for a new season after teaming up with a team of specialists following his split with coach Brad Gilbert in November.

"I've never trained so hard in my life and I'm also looking forward to managing myself and doing things my way," Murray said during the off-season. "Now I feel more relaxed. The responsibility is on me to sort things out and that's the way I wanted it to be."

Murray has spent the off-season in Miami and has compiled a coaching team including Jez Green, Matt Little, former Great Britain Davis Cup player Miles Maclagan, Louis Cayer and childhood friend Leon Smith.

Pippa Davis / Eurosport