Back injury may force Murray out of Qatar final

BRITISH No.1 Andy Murray may not get the chance to defend his Qatar Open crown as the Scot is struggling with a back injury.

Having defeated 12-time grand slam winner Roger Federer in the semi final in Doha, Murray is due to face American Andy Roddick in final later today.

But the world No.4 needed treatment on his back during his three-set victory over the Swiss ace and insists he will take no chances with the Australian Open just eight days away.

"If my back is going to be like this I won't play on Saturday," he said.

"It was getting stiff as the match progressed. My back has been giving me some problems ever since Abu Dhabi.

"I don't know whether it has something to do with the nature of the court, rather than the weather."

If Murray does decide to face Roddick he will be looking to extend his impressive record against the former world No.1, having won five out of their previous eight meetings.

But Murray, who remains undefeated in 2009 and is many bookies' favourite to scoop the first grand slam of the season Down Under, is only too aware of the threat Roddick poses.

 "It will be very difficult against Andy in the final," said Murray. "He serves big and I will have to return well. But I played well against him the last few times we met."