Andy Murray in mood for French feat
ANDY MURRAY has vowed to bounce back from his Rome heartache by making a bid for the French Open crown.
Murray was 24 yesterday but, instead of celebrating, he was back in the gym – just over 12 hours after his agonising 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 defeat by Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Rome Masters.
World No4 Murray found time for a workout before flying home for a couple of days, priming himself for an assault on a title for which, until recently, few would have picked him as a possible champion.
The French Open starts on Sunday and the way Murray played against Djokovic has convinced everyone, including himself, that he can be a contender.
“I can win the French if I play my best and get myself prepared mentally and physically,” he said. “I feel like I’m moving better than I have in the past on clay and I have the right combination of how to play.
“There are a few things I can do better – I didn’t start my last two matches particularly well – but I definitely give myself a chance in Paris if I play like that.”
I can win the French if I play my best and get myself prepared mentally and physically
Murray’s best performance at Roland Garros came in 2009, when he reached the quarter-finals before losing to Fernando Gonzalez of Chile.
But he said: “I feel like I’m playing great tennis again. I feel like I can compete with those guys.”
Djokovic extended his unbeaten streak in 2011 to 37 matches last night when he lifted the Rome crown in style with a 6-4, 6-4 defeat of world No1 Rafael Nadal.