Murray Rome decision remains on hold

Andy Murray has put back his decision on whether to play the Italian Open, with the third-seed saying on Tuesday that he won't decide until he completes an afternoon training session.

"I'm training again and will decide later," said last week's Munich and Madrid champion whose pair of titles marked a personal breakthrough on the clay.

"It's been a long couple of weeks, but I wanted to train and see how my legs felt," he explained.

"I don't feel that tired today, I'll do some more moving and see how I feel. I'll meet with the team and decide after that."

Murray's decision cannot be making life any easier for intended second-round opponent Jeremy Chardy, who does not know whom he might actually meet on Wednesday at the Foro Italico.

Murray, who defeated Rafael Nadal in a Madrid final shock said that whatever the case, his preparation for Roland Garros seems to be on track.

"This year I feel a lot healthier on the clay, I have to thank my team, which has made some big changes in my clay preparation. That's helped for sure.

"I also didn't feel much pressure last week, I didn't have very high expectations. I just played and felt better and better in each match."

Murray was also making no apologies for leaving his Rome participation decision so late.

"This happens every single week when guys pull out late. I'm not waiting until tomorrow, I'll decide today after a proper practise."

As the complex sheduling of the event proceeded, results were all over the charts.

In the women's first round, Spanish tenth seed Carla Suarez Navarro beat German Mona Barthel 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 while Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic defeated Monica Puig 7-5, 6-3.

Third seed Maria Sharapova became the first into the third round as she advanced when Australian Jarmila Gajdosova retired trailing 6-2, 3-1.

In the men's first round, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez beat slumping US Open winner Marin Cilic, as the Croatian ninth seed lost 6-4, 6-3.

Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci advanced as Argentine Diego Schwartzman quit as he trailed 6-4, 4-3.
Source: AFP