• French Open, Day Three

Murray: Back problem no longer a worry

ESPN staff
May 29, 2012
Andy Murray enjoyed a straight-sets win over Tatsuma Ito on the clay of Paris on Tuesday © PA Photos
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Andy Murray says his back is not a concern as he bids for French Open glory over the next two weeks, having won his first-round match on Tuesday.

Murray has had a chequered clay-court season to date, with fitness issues stunting his progress on the red dirt. Richard Gasquet was able to defeat him during the recent Rome Masters event, after which Murray confessed his back was an issue.

Boris Becker advised the British No. 1 not to risk his body ahead of the grass and hard-court seasons, where Murray is more likely to lift a maiden grand slam. Becker told the Scot to skip Roland Garros, something with which Murray strongly disagreed.

After defeating Tatsuma Ito in straight sets on Tuesday, Murray said: "My back is fine and hopefully it will keep getting better each day.

"I'll make sure I do all the right things so that it feels as good as possible through the tournament."

Murray produced an inconsistent display against Ito, dominating him in sets one and three, but losing focus in set two. Ito broke once and had the chance to do so again at 0-40 on the Murray serve, but the Brit is not concerned by his slight wobble.

"The first and third sets were very comfortable," Murray said. "For a first-round match in a slam, it's a good start.

"It was good, I played one bad game on serve to let him back in but everything else was pretty good. The second set could have been more comfortable, but I obviously played a bad game."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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