Share

Murray may miss French Open

Rome - Britain's Andy Murray admitted that he could miss the French Open after suffering a back and hip injury at the Rome Masters.

"I'd be very surprised if I was playing in Paris," a subdued Murray said after quitting a second-round start at the Foro Italico, handing a 6-3, 6-7 (5/7) win to Spain's Marcel Gronollers.

Murray, ranked world number two behind Novak Djokovic, had been seen by the trainer for on-court hip and back treatment after the third game of the second set.

The defeat marked the second straight year in Rome that Murray, a 2011 semi-finalist, has gone out early, following a third round exit a year ago.

The French Open begins in Paris on May 26 and even if Murray should recover in time to play in the Grand Slam, he heads to the tournamanet with just three clay wins this season, alongside as many defeats.

Murray was joined on the sidelines on a cloudy day at the Foro Italico by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, with Polish underdog Jerzy Janowizc ripping off his shirt in celebration seconds after clinching the 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) win over the eighth seed.

Ukranian Alexandr Dolgopolov got a free trip into the third round as Madrid finalist Stanislas Wawrinka quit before their meeting with a thigh injury which also bothered him last week.

In women's play, former Roland Garros winner and fifth seed Li Na won a battle with Chinese countrywoman Zheng Jie 6-3, 6-1 while Australian ninth seed Samantha Stosur, the 2010 beaten finalist in Paris, beat China's Peng Shuai 7-6 (7/5), 6-0.

Russian 12th seed Maria Kirilenko beat Varvara Lepchenko of the United States 6-3, 6-1. The 13th-seeded Roberta Vinci kept her home public happy as she beat compatriot Natassja Burnett 6-1, 6-4. Slovak 14th seed Dominika Cibulkova put out US qualifier Melanie Oudin 5-7, 6-1, 6-3.

Results from the fourth day of the ATP and WTA Rome Open (x denoted seeding):

Men:


Second round:

Jerzy Janowicz (POL) bt Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x8) 6-4, 7-6 (7/5)

Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) bt Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI x15) walkover, thigh injury

Marcel Granollers (ESP) bt Andy Murray (GBR x3) 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), retired, (hip injury)

Benoit Paire (FRA) bt Julien Benneteau (FRA) 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4)

Gilles Simon (FRA) bt Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 7-5, 6-3

Women:


Second round:

Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x14) bt Melanie Oudin (USA) 5-7, 6-1, 6-3

Roberta Vinci (ITA x13) bt Nastassja Burnett (ITA) 6-1, 6-4

Li Na (CHN x5) bt Zheng Zie (CHN) 6-3, 6-1

Maria Kirilenko (RUS x12) bt Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 6-3, 6-1

Samantha Stosur (AUS x9) bt Peng Shuai (CHN) 7-6 (7/5), 6-0

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE