Murray set for tough Ferrer clash

ROME MASTERS
Date: 24 April-8 May 2010
Coverage: Live text on the BBC Sport website from around 1530 BST

British number one Murray has struggled to produce his best form of late

Andy Murray will look to build on his improved form at the Rome Masters when he takes on Spain's David Ferrer in the third round later on Thursday.

Murray avoided a fourth straight ATP Tour defeat with an impressive 6-2 6-4 win over Andreas Seppi on Tuesday.

But the 22-year-old will face a tougher test in clay-court specialist Ferrer, who has been in fine recent form.

"I feel less pressure on clay because I haven't done as well on that surface," said Murray, the fourth seed.

He looked lethargic in defeat by Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in Monte Carlo a fortnight ago.

606: DEBATE Murray's recovery will start only in the hard court season later on this year. He'll be back to his best by the US open TennisFan10

That was his third successive loss on the ATP Tour but he returned to some sort of form against Seppi after working on his fitness in Barcelona last week.

After the straight-sets win Murray, who had lost to Robin Soderling in Indian Wells and Mardy Fish in Miami before going down to Kohlschreiber, shrugged off concerns about his dip in form.

"I have actually been mentally tired since the start of the year and had quite a few niggles after the Australian Open," he said.

"Last week in Barcelona, I spent a lot of time on the practice court and got back in shape."

Ferrer, the 13th seed, is likely to provide a stern test after enjoying a fruitful year so far on tour.

He won in Acapulco in February and reached the semi-finals in Monte Carlo earlier this month before losing to eventual winner Rafael Nadal.

And his good form has continued in the Italian capital, brushing aside crowd favourite Potito Starace in the previous round.

Murray's match is third up on Centre Court and expected to start shortly after 1530 BST.

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