Murray still has French hopes

Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 20 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Andy Murray has contradicted his coach Brad Gilbert and says he still has a chance of playing in the upcoming French Open.

The British number one appeared to be ruled out of the Roland Garros showpiece, and even possibly the grass-court season, after injuring his wrist in the first round of the Hamburg Masters last Tuesday.

The talented Scot strained tendons in his wrist when leading Filippo Volandri 5-1 in the opening set in Germany and was told to stay off the court and let the injury heal before beginning his rehabilitation.

Gilbert later said that his young charge had "pulled the plug" on his clay-court season in order to get back to full fitness for Wimbledon, but now it seems there is a chance that the world number 10 could make it to Paris, with further test results due to be announced on Monday.

"I will hopefully have a better idea on Monday," said Murray. "I went to see the doctor a few days ago and had an X-ray.

"No broken bones so that's good but I had a lot of inflammation which made it hard to read, so I got a cast and will wear it until I go for a second scan on Monday.

"I will make a decision on the French Open and grass season once I have a better idea of what the injury is and how long it is going to take to heal which I will hopefully have a better idea of on Monday."

Matched to small stakes at 50 in early trading, Murray is now available at 220 to claim his first Grand Slam in the French capital, with Spanish sensation Rafael Nadal the 1.59 favourite.