World number two Andy Murray admitted Wednesday that he could miss the French Open after a long-term back injury forced him to quit the Rome Masters. "I'd be very surprised if I was playing in Paris," a subdued Murray said after retiring from a second-round start at the Foro Italico, handing a 6-3, 6-7 (5/7) win to Spain's Marcel Granollers. Murray, who was celebrating his 26th birthday on Wednesday, said that pain in his lower left back, which has bothered him since late 2011, has been flaring recently, bringing on the Rome pullout.

Rome, May 15 (EFE).- Scotland's Andy Murray retired from his second-round match Wednesday at the Rome Masters after rallying to tie Spaniard Marcel Granollers at a set apiece. The world No. 2, who turned 26 on Wednesday, began suffering back problems in the second set and called for the trainer while trailing 3-6, 1-2. Murray proceeded to lose the next two games and was a point away from a 5-1 deficit before storming back and forcing a tiebreaker, which he won 7-5.

Two-tme Rome masters champion Novak Djokovic began his campaign for a hat-trick trophy with a 70-minute, 6-2, 6-3 win over Albert Montanes which was wrapped up with an ace. The Serb was all smiles as he got the job done in his second-round start after a bye after losing a week ago in his opening match in Madrid to Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian threat was knocked out earlier by French ninth seed Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-4.

Maria Sharapova believes she is ready to end her hoodoo against world number one Serena Williams when they meet in the Madrid Open final on Sunday. Sharapova, who surged into her first final in Madrid with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Ana Ivanovic on Saturday, hasn't beaten Williams since 2004, losing 11 straight matches against the 15-time Grand Slam champion in that period. However, with the number one ranking also for the taking should the Russian manage to win, she has taken encouragement from their last meeting in Miami earlier this year when Sharapova took the opening set.