Andy Murray says his time in Rome this week was “positive” despite a second-round defeat alongside Liam Broady in the Italian Open doubles.
The Britons lost 6-3 6-4 to Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Romania’s Horia Tecau, the eighth seeds.
Scot Murray, 33, was playing his second competitive match since early March following a groin injury.
He will be hoping he showed enough fitness and form to persuade French Open organisers to give him a wildcard.
Murray, who had been in the Italian capital to practise with some of the world’s leading players before a late entry into the doubles with Broady as alternates, is hoping to return to singles action in Lyon or Geneva next week.
“I got four practices with top-20 players, which is good,” said the three-time Grand Slam singles champion, whose hitting partners here included world number one Novak Djokovic.
“If we hadn’t got into the doubles I maybe would have got one more before heading off but I got a couple of matches instead.
“It was positive, I’m happy I came over here, learned a bit about my game and where I’m at.”
Murray and Broady beat Australians Max Purcell and Luke Saville 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 10-6 in the first round on Wednesday.
“Today didn’t feel that great on the court, I didn’t play that well in comparison to yesterday [Wednesday],” Murray said. “The other guys served well, which made it difficult.
“But it was good to feel what it was like in match conditions again after quite a long period for me.
“I did pretty well physically for the first points and practice sets at this level for a long time. I was happy with that and hopefully will keep building the next few weeks.”
Tournament organisers will decide next week whether to award him a wildcard into the main draw of the French Open, which starts on 30 May, but if they do not then the Scot will seek to come through qualifying for the clay-court Grand Slam.
Tournament director Guy Forget said on Wednesday that former world number one Murray “sure deserves” a wildcard.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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