• ATP Tour

Murray confident of French Open challenge

ESPN staff
April 11, 2012
Andy Murray reached at least the semi-final at all the grand slams in 2011 © Getty Images
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Andy Murray is refusing to let his rivals' superior records on clay quash his belief ahead of the French Open at Roland Garros during May.

Murray's coach Ivan Lendl has stressed to his pupil that he has what it takes to win the tournament - and, although it is not his favourite surface, the Scot is coming round to that way of thinking.

The world No. 4 reached the semi-finals of the French Open last year before losing in three sets to Rafael Nadal - but before that contest, he had only surrendered two sets at the event.

"I have to believe that I can win the French Open," Murray told the Times. "I was going to say that I have to agree with [everything Lendl says] but I don't. Last year gave me a lot of confidence and I still feel like I could have played better.

"The French Open was really important for me last year. I've said it many times, not because I got to the semis there for the first time but because of how the tournament went.

"I wouldn't say I'm the favourite going in; Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have got much better results than me on clay but I think I can win against them."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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