Perth, Australia: British number one Andy Murray conceded he was being troubled by a lingering left shoulder problem after he opened his Hopman Cup account with a straight-sets win over Frenchman Benoit Paire at the Perth Arena on Monday.


Andy Murray. Pic/AFP 

The world number six had few problems with Paire, himself on the comeback trail after injury, and won their clash 6-2, 7-5 as Great Britain beat defending champions France 2-1 at the mixed teams tournament. Although the French levelled the tie when Alize Cornet thrashed Heather Watson, 6-2, 6-2, the Brits claimed the deciding mixed doubles in a match tiebreak, 6-4, 2-6, 10-8.