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Pill-popping Murray remains positive

Andy Murray had to dig deep to beat Viktor Troicki © Getty Images

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Andy Murray has revealed he is filling himself with pankillers in a bid to keep his French Open dream alive.

The British No. 1 turned his ankle in his win over Michael Berrer in the third round and tests revealed he suffered a sprained ankle and a tear to his ligaments. He was advised to stay off his feet, but hauled himself onto court to beat Viktor Troicki in an epic that spanned two days.

Murray will take on Juan Ignacio Chela on Wednesday for a place in the semi-finals and he is being aided in his bid for his first grand slam win with a plethora of pills.

"I had about nine pills for breakfast, nine in the evening and then more before I go on court," Murray said. "I've taken close to 20 pills a day which is a lot. In fact, I've taken so many I've probably got more in me than Ozzy Osbourne."

Murray's movement is one of his most potent weapons but it is being restricted by his ankle problems.

He said: "Pushing off for a serve is quite tough and then moving out to my forehand, because that's normally where you want to slide. I felt pretty rigid out there.

"It is tough when you are not 100 per cent. I felt a bit nervous. I kept fighting and managed to turn it around. It was a great feeling to win, it was a bit emotional."

Murray feels the chance of victory in Paris makes it a risk worth taking.

"I haven't really been in this position before in a slam," he said. "And, no disrespect to any of the guys I'm playing against, I felt like there's a good chance for me to do well here.

"I have a very good record against Viktor and a very good record against Chela. I have played Chela a couple of times here, so I felt like it was a good opportunity for me.

"As long as I don't go over on my ankle, I should be okay. I will keep it strapped up."

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