If Andy Murray's commitment to arriving at the French Open in the best possible shape was in any doubt, then turning down a ticket for the Scottish Cup final should tell its own story.

While his brother, Jamie, joins their uncle and other members of the family at Hampden Park today to cheer on their beloved Hibernian against Hearts, Murray will be in Paris, working hard to lift his flagging confidence.

The Scot's defeat by Richard Gasquet in the third round of the Rome Masters on Thursday was less worrying than the revelation that he has been carrying a niggle in his back for several months.

Murray will spend the next five days on rehab, rest and practice, with the arrival of his coach, Ivan Lendl, in the early part of next week sure to lift his spirits and focus the mind.

The 25-year-old will then test out a few things in an exhibition match in Paris on Thursday, against Latvia's Ernests Gulbis, before getting started at Roland Garros.

Providing he is fully fit, he will hope to maintain his form at the grand slams in recent times and emulate his achievement of 12 months ago when he made the semi-finals.

In theory, the French Open is the least likely venue for him to break his duck, on the slow clay, but he was backed yesterday to win a grand slam sooner rather than later, by Pete Sampras, the former world No.1.

The American said he believes the addition of Lendl to Murray is a smart move and that the Scot showed in Australia that when he gets his mentality right, he is a match for anyone.

"He's getting closer," said Sampras. "I think the key for Andy is getting through an easy first week. If he can get through a good first week and he's fresh for the second and gives it a good push, he could very well win a major. I think Andy will win a major, it's just trying to get over that hurdle."

Rafael Nadal looked close to his very best as he beat in-form Czech Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-5 while Novak Djokovic shrugged off a tough first set to ease past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5, 6-1.

Britain's No.1 Elena Baltacha will today bid for a place in the final of the $100,000 ITF event in Prague when she takes on Czech Klara Kakopalova. Baltacha beat former world No.36 Anastasija Sevastova, of Latvia, 6-3, 6-4 yesterday.

However, there was bad news for fellow Scot Colin Fleming, whose stress fracture of his tibia is taking time to heal and may not allow him to play in the French Open.