Andy Murray pulls out of Italian Open due to fatigue

Andy Murray has announced that he will no longer be competing in the Italian Open due to fatigue.

The Scotsman has had a hectic clay-court season so far, having won the Munich Open earlier this month and beating Rafael Nadal to claim the Madrid Open title last week.

There were suggestions that the two-time Grand Slam champion would not compete in Rome at all in order to keep him fresh for the French Open later this month, but he did begin the tournament.

Murray sealed a 6-4 6-3 victory over Jeremy Chardy in the second round on Wednesday, and he was due to face David Goffin this afternoon, but has now withdrawn.

The Scotsman told reporters that he feels "very tired, very flat" and insists that he is not suffering with a long-term injury, but just feels "stiff and sore".

Murray added that he hopes to play in Paris next week.