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By Erik Gudris

Andy Murray Rome (May 15, 2013) -- It was not a happy birthday for Andy Murray who turned 26 today. In fact, it may have been one of the worst days ever for the Scottish star after he was forced at the Italian Open to retire in a match for only the second time in his career.

Murray entered his second rounder against Spain's Marcel Granollers with a rather dubious performance record of 1-3 when playing on his birthday. Early on at the start of the match, Murray often grabbed at his side and legs while Granollers took advantage by being aggressive from the baseline.

After going up an early break of serve, Granollers closed out the first set with a volley winner.

Both men traded breaks at the start of the second set before Murray stopped play for a medical time out to have his lower left knee worked on. When he returned to the court, Granollers resumed control and leapt out to a 4-1 lead.

Murray found a second wind and soon pulled to within 4-all. Granollers broke Murray again and served for the match at 5-4. But a nervous Granollers couldn't close it out and that allowed Murray to break back and then eventually force a tiebreak.

A pair of botched volleys from Granollers late in the tiebreak created a set point for Murray who then took the set 7-6.

But instead of moving onto a final set, Murray instead told both Granollers and the chair umpire that he could not continue playing. With that, Granollers won by retirement 6-3, 6-7(5) to the shock of everyone watching in the stands and via social media.

It was only the second time in Murray's career that he had retired from a match with the last time being back in 2007 at Hamburg.

Later in press, Murray confirmed that he has been dealing with a return of lower back pain that he started suffering from this time last year and hinted that he might consider withdrawing from the upcoming French Open if his health does not improve.

"I pulled out because there was a good chance I would be playing tomorrow if I got through. As it is, I'd be very surprised if I was playing in Paris," said Murray. "I need to make a plan as to what I do. I'll chat with the guys tonight and make a plan for the next few days then make a decision on Paris after the next five days."

Nadal, Ferrer Advance as Janowicz Upsets Tsonga

Defending champion Rafael Nadal faced little resistance from local favorite Fabio Fognini in Nadal's debut at this year's event. Though Nadal was broken once in the second set, there was very little doubt as to the result as Nadal wrapped up a 6-1, 6-3 win in just over an hour.

Nadal will next face Ernests Gulbis, a former semifinalist at the event back in 2010, who endured a bizarre meltdown from his opponent Viktor Troicki who disputed a line call with the umpire by threatening to retire. Gulbis soon advanced though 6-1, 6-1.

Watch: Troicki Has Epic Meltdown in Rome

David Ferrer was pushed to three sets by fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco before Ferrer went on to win 5-7, 7-5, 6-3.

In a result that saw the victor celebrate as if he had won the title, Poland's Jerzy Janowicz upset France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 7-6(5) to record his third top 10 win of his career. Janowicz marked the occasion by ripping off his shirt as he reveled in his advancing to the third round where he will next meet another Frenchman in Richard Gasquet.
(Photo Credit: AP)

 

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