SERIOUS question marks remain about Andy Murray’s fitness ahead of the Australian Open after he was beaten 6-2 by Roberto Bautista Agut yesterday in a one-set exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

The Scot, who is working his way back from hip problems, stepped in after Novak Djokovic’s own Melbourne hopes were plunged into doubt when he was forced to withdraw having experienced more pain in his elbow.

Like Murray, Djokovic has not played a competitive match since Wimbledon and had been due to make his comeback with a semi-final against world No 20 Bautista Agut at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.