World number four Andy Murray got his 2012 campaign off to a winning start with a three-set victory over Mikhail Kukushkin at the Brisbane Open earlier today.

The Scot started the encounter slowly before slumping to a 7-5 loss in the opening set.

However, he responded positively to win the next two sets and the match 5-7 6-3 6-2.

"He was hitting winners from all over the place," Murray said after the match. "I was a little bit slow but I wasn't expecting him to come out swinging like that.

"He was hitting the ball great so I was glad I was able to turn it around. You're meant to be ready from the start and I wasn't quite there today.

"But I played better towards the end, I started to move a little bit better. My body loosened up a little bit so hopefully I will pull up okay tomorrow."

Murray will now take on Luxembourg's Gilles Muller in round two of the tournament.