Murray has won 92% of his first serves as opposed to Verdasco's 72%. Ominous.

The Scot is also starting to move freely and is countering everything that Verdasco is throwing at him from the back of the court.

It's another service game won - he's one away from taking the first set.

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Briggs
Daily Telegraph tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Murray exposed Verdasco's speed in that game. He's not the most sprightly of men around the back of the court.

Image source, Getty Images

Murray challenges a decision to call a Verdasco shot at the baseline in - he fails.

The Scottish world number two - hoping to become world number one after this tournament - moves into a 30-15 lead. Are we sensing the first break?

He misses the mark with another backhand slice dropshot but punishes Verdasco following a long rally. It's deuce. 

Verdasco snatches at a topspin forehand. Break point.

First serve.

Out.

Then the Spaniard hits another forehand too long following his second serve.

Broken.

Image source, AP

These games are zipping by.

Another service game won to love with the denouement a lovely sliced back hand from Murray that crept over the net.

Tres bien as some would say inside the arena. Over to you Fernando.

Verdasco, wearing a T-shirt which seems to paying a small tribute to Blackburn Rovers, wins his service game to love.

It was great serving from the Spaniard who varied his serves sending Murray across all areas of his court. The Scot isn't quite in top gear yet.

Image source, Getty Images

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Murray has an excellent record against Verdasco - 12 meetings, 11 won by Murray, including the last six.

Image source, Getty Images

Verdasco wins his first point on the Murray serve before the Scot makes a mistake at the net. Pressure?

Not when you've got a serve like Murray's who fires down a demon of a second first serve which Verdasco does well to even get his racquet to.

Two good serves from the Spaniard and then a strong forehand forces an error from Murray down the line.

Verdasco then forces the Scot out wide with another serve to take the game - both opening games held to serve. 

Murray didn't have to try too hard to win that opening game. A powerful kicking serve to the Verdasco forehand sees him win his service game to love.

The start of that game was delayed as Verdasco rummaged around in his bag looking for an appropriate racquet. Maybe he should go back to the bag.

Image source, PA

Two Wimbledon titles, two Olympic singles titles, the US Open, the Davis Cup, tons of other titles, a love for video games and a dry sense of humour... 

So if he becomes number one then will he be recognised as Britain's greatest sportsperson?

Let us know your views using #bbctennis, external

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Murray has had to play some astonishing tennis to win seven of the last 10 tournaments.

The Spaniard wins the toss and says he wants Murray to serve first. That's nice of him.

Verdasco has won one tournament this year, on the clay in Bucharest back in April.

This is on the hard surface - Murray is the strong favourite here.

The players, as usual carrying their own bags, come out onto the indoor court at the AccorHotels Arena.

The accompanying music played is a combination of a modern dance track mixed with Dollar (ask your parents, or maybe grandparents).

There's lots of 'Daft Punk' strobe lighting adorning the court.

We are moments away.

Image source, AP

Image source, Rex Features

Yes, it comes as no surprise that 33-year-old world number 34 Gilles Muller lost to the 12-time grand slam champion 6-3 6-4.

Djokovic, who has suffered a relative 'slump' in form, since the summer says he is intent against relinquishing his number one spot.

He will hold on to the top ranking if he reaches the final in Paris.

However, failure to do so would allow Murray to overtake him if the Scot can win, or reaches the final and Djokovic falls before the semis.

Got it? Good.

Drake

Bjorn Borg

The Brazil football team

E.T

They've all been number one in their respective fields.

One man trying to join the exclusive (albeit, rather large) group of 'numbers ones' is three-time major winner and Olympic champion Andy Murray.

By the conclusion of this current Paris Masters he might add that ultimate accolade to the vast collection of other accolades he has accumulated over his career.

He takes his first tiny steps towards the summit with a match against Spanish world number 46 Fernando Verdasco.

So stay here for live text of that match. The man who currently holds the number one spot is Serb Novak Djokovic. He played Luxembourgish Gilles Muller in his opening match in Paris and he...

*The Fire Island remix of the Style Council's Shout To The Top reached number one of the US dance charts in 1998. Yes, tenuous.