Murray eyes Rome return

Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 28 April 2007 / Leave a Comment

Andy Murray is targeting a return to action in Rome as he prepares for the year's second Grand Slam in Paris.

The young Scot is currently sidelined with a niggling back injury and has pulled out of next week's Estoril Open in Portugal as a precaution.

The latest injury setback is proving frustrating for the Dunblane-born starlet as he has just broken into the world's top ten and was looking for a solid season on clay to further boost his ranking.

With the French Open on the horizon, it is vital for the top stars to get a feel for the very different surface presented at Roland Garros and Murray is hoping to play a full part when the tour moves to Italy and Germany.

"I started hitting again too soon to see if I'd be OK for Estoril. It looks like I'll have to miss it," he said.

"Rome and Hamburg are the big ones before the French Open and I want to make sure I'm ready for them."

Murray's career has been dogged with injuries but he did a lot of strength and stamina
training over the winter, which clearly paid dividends with his run to the upper echelons of the world game.

The 19-year-old's price to win the French Open will vary with his performances in the warm-up events but he is currently trading at 90 to win in the French capital with Rafael Nadal, seemingly invincible on clay, available at 1.74 and Roger Federer on offer at 3.65.