Andy Murray has reiterated that clay remains his favourite surface, ahead of his last 16 clash against Tomas Berdych.
Briton claims he can cut the mustard on the red soil
Andy Murray has reiterated that clay remains his favourite surface, ahead of his last 16 clash against Tomas Berdych at the French Open.
Despite spending some of his teenage years training on the dirt of Barcelona's Sanchez-Casal Academy, the surface has traditionally been considered the British number one's weakest.
Indeed, of the 23-year-old's 21 ATP tour finals, none have been on the red soil and his passage to round four at Roland Garros has been characterised by worrying slumps that have seen him drop sets in all of his matches.
Murray admits his "natural" game is more suited to grass and hard courts, but believes his results on clay owe more to the fact he does not play many tournaments on it.
"I always loved to play on clay when I was younger," said the Dunblane right-hander. "I've said many times it's my favourite surface to play on, even though my results haven't been as good.
"I feel like I can play well on clay, play very well on clay. It just takes me a bit more time to get used to the surface again."
Challenge
He added: "It just is more of a challenge for me because I don't play many tournaments on the surface and hardly played on a clay court until I was 15.
"It's not something that comes naturally to me, so I obviously have to work hard on my game. I need to put hours in on the practice court.
"I still do that on the other courts, it's just my game style is a little bit more natural on hard courts and grass and indoors.
"But I'm playing well. I played really well here last year, and I've had I think three very, very good wins against tough players."
Murray's next opponent Berdych has already equalled his own best run at Roland Garros.
Unlike the Briton, the 15th seed from the Czech Republic has made quietly effective progress to week two, winning all of his matches in straight sets on the outside courts.
His match with Murray is likely to be played on Philippe Chatrier or Suzanne Lenglen, something he has mixed feelings about.
Advantage
"I've just played once here on Chatrier. It was the last 16 against Roger (Federer)," said the 24-year-old right-hander
"Of course, it could be the advantage of the players who play more matches on those stadiums but I have to try to live with that.
"The match, I hope it's gonna be pretty long, that I'm going to have some time to get used to it.
"I'm used to other big stadiums in other tournaments. I don't think it's going to be that different.
"Maybe if you play against a Frenchman, that could be a big difference, but this one I think is going to be really nice match with a good atmosphere."
