The Scot, unbeaten since losing to Roger Federer in the US Open final at the start of September, is in the form of his life at the moment.

Not only has he won the last two Masters Series events, in Cincinnati and then in Madrid a fortnight ago, he also retained his St Petersburg crown with a 58-minute trouncing of Andrey Golubev from Kazakhstan in Sunday's final.

Many are labelling Murray the man to beat in Bercy, including Querrey, who has dubbed the 21-year-old "arguably the best player in the world right now".

With his number four ranking secure and his place in next month's season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai also sealed, the pressure is off Murray this week.

And he is happy with his mental and physical shape, having strolled through the St Petersburg tournament untroubled, without losing a set.

He even has Rafael Nadal, the world No.1, running scared.

"He has just proved in these last few months that he can win the big tournaments, whoever is in his way," said the Spaniard. "He is a massive talent, with a complete game and both an aggressive shot and a containing shot. He makes it all look so easy."

Querrey, also 21, is a 6ft 6in player from Santa Monica who is anked No.41 in the world. He has enjoyed a career-best year and played some decent stuff in his first-round defeat of Marcos Baghdatis, who retired injured in the deciding set of their match.

The Scot has played him twice before, most recently in Cincinnati, where he won through 7-6 (7/3), 6-1.

Murray, therefore, will reasonably be expected to prevail tonight, and if so would face Spain's Fernando Verdasco in round three following his win in three sets over Tommy Robredo last night.

Reigning champion David Nalbandian and Nadal are both in the same half of the draw as the Dunblane player.

If Murray does prevail in Paris, he will become the first player to claim three successive Masters Series titles in the same year.