Leg injury still concerns Murray despite victory
BRITISH No1 Andy Murray admitted he was still feeling his way back to full fitness during his second round win over Jeremy Chardy at the Paris Masters.
Murray, aiming for a fourth consecutive tournament victory, extended his winning run to 17 matches with a routine 6-2, 6-4 defeat of the French wildcard.
The 24-year-old was forced to withdraw from last week’s Basel tournament with a leg injury, and despite brushing his opponent aside in just over an hour, showing no ill-effects, Murray conceded he’s not yet back up to full speed.
“I felt OK, I felt maybe my legs were not as strong and I did not move as well as I can do,” said Murray.
“But I played pretty well for the most part. I played a relatively solid match and you need to do that against him.”
Murray faces American 13th seed Andy Roddick today and as well as niggling fitness concerns, the Brit is still to adjust to the speed of the courts.
He added: “After you play on the courts a few times they definitely speed up. It is definitely quicker.
“It is strange – the balls and the court don’t really go that well together. It is a weird feeling.”
Elsewhere, world No1 Novak Djokovic, who decided to risk his damaged shoulder, beat Ivan Dodig 6-3, 6-4 and third seed Roger Federer overcame Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-3.