June 10, 2008

British number one Andrew Murray is through to the third round of the Artois championships after a groin injury led to opponent Sebastien Grosjean's retirement after two games.

The play was halted when Grosjean, a two time Quee's finalist in 2003 and 2004, had to receive lengthy treatment for the injury at the change-over. Although Grosjean resumed the game with his thigh heavily strapped above the knee, he eventually quit the match after Murray served two aces, taking the lead. The entire match was over in 14 minutes. "There is a tear in the left adductor muscle. They tell me it will take seven to 10 days to heal," Grosjean said in a statement.

The match was Murray's first competitive ATP tour match on grass since the summer of 2006 after he spent the next year recuperating from injuries. Murray is also playing in the doubles with Venezuelan Daniel Vallverdu. The pair recently defeated opponents Gasquet and Mahut on Monday. In a statement Murray expressed his regret at the short duration of the match, although took consolation in the hour he spent on the court with doubles partner Vallverdu on Monday. "I would rather have won the match normally just because you get more confidence from that, but I got a good hour, 75 minutes on court with the doubles on Monday," Murray said. Murray is Britain's only hope for success at Wimbledon.