Andy Murray’s Italian Open win earns Briton seeding boost for French Open
Britain's Andy Murray has been rewarded for his landmark win at the Rome Masters with a rankings boost that will ensure he is seeded second for next week’s French Open.
Murray, who has traditionally favoured hard courts and grass, continued his recent progress on clay by recording a first victory over world No1 Novak Djokovic on the surface in Sunday’s final in Italy.
That result lifted him back above Roger Federer in the men’s rankings, behind only Djokovic, meaning he will be kept apart from the Serb in the draw for Roland Garros.
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The Scot, 29, only won his maiden clay court title 12 months ago, at the BMW Open in Germany, but immediately followed it up with a second at the Madrid Open.
Murray went on to reach a third French Open semi-final – equalling his best performance in Paris – in which Djokovic ended his 15-match winning streak on clay in an epic five-set match.
The French Open remains the only grand slam final in which the final represents uncharted territory for Murray, although former coach Miles Maclagan believes he is better positioned than ever to end that run.
“This [Rome Masters] was his first win over Novak on clay, so he has a deep reservoir of confidence,” said Maclagan. “The other players will look at him as a challenger and that counts as well.”
Murray is searching for the 10th coach of his career after confirming this month that he has ended his working relationship with former women’s world No1 Amelie Mauresmo.
He has postponed any appointment until after the French Open and has indicated he could trial a candidate during next month’s Aegon Championship at Queen’s Club in order to hire before Wimbledon.