Andy Murray opts to play at Italian Open in Rome

Sport360 staff 16:58 13/05/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • On to the next one: Andy Murray.

    Andy Murray will attempt to win a third successive clay-court title after confirming his participation at the Italian Open in Rome this week.

    Murray had considered missing the tournament to ensure he was fresh for the French Open later this month but has opted to play on after winning back-to-back titles in Munich and Madrid – his first titles on clay – in the last fortnight.

    The British number one will face Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in the second round today and could meet seventh-seeded David Ferrer in the quarter-finals and world No1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. 

    Murray has lost all three matches against the Serbian this year.

    Murray, who is nursing a niggling split in his right thumb, travelled to Rome after beating Rafael Nadal in straight sets to win the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday and confirmed his participation in the Italian capital after a double practice session yesterday.

    The word No3, who has not lost a match since marrying long-term girlfriend Kim Sears last month, also confirmed that former Swedish player Jonas Bjorkman will assume coaching duties after Wimbledon while his regular mentor Amelie Mauresmo prepares to have her first child.

    “Jonas is going to be with me after Wimbledon, just me and him through potentially right until the end of the year,” Murray told BBC Sport.

    Recommended