Andy Murray handed difficult Bordeaux Challenger draw as Rafael Nadal turns down wild card ahead of French Open

Andy Murray has been handed a difficult draw as he continues his French Open preparations by playing on the ATP Challenger Tour. Murray, who celebrated his 36th birthday on May 15, ended his four-year wait for a title by winning a Challenger event in Aix-en-Provence earlier this month. Ad But he didn’t carry the momentum through to the Italian Open as he was beaten in his first match by Fabio Fognini.

ATP RomeDjokovic: I've gotten stronger because of Federer, Nadal and Murray16 HOURS AGO He has now dropped back down to the second-tier Challenger Tour to play the BNP Paribas Primrose in Bordeaux in a bid to get more clay action under his belt — and potentially win more ranking points — ahead of the French Open. Murray moved up to No. 42 in the world following his title win in Aix-en-Provence, and another strong week could put him in contention to be seeded for the French Open.

Murray faces a tricky start in Bordeaux, though, as he could open against fellow three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka. Murray is seeded second at the tournament so has a bye in the opening round, while Wawrinka, who lost to Grigor Dimitrov in the second round in Rome, starts against a qualifier. If Murray beats Wawrinka he could then meet world No.

50 Ugo Humbert. Djokovic 'very solid' as he reaches last 16 in Rome Djokovic: Federer, Nadal, Murray rivalries have made me stronger Third seed Richard Gasquet is also on Murray’s half of the draw while Jan-Lennard Struff, who made the Madrid Open final recently, is the top seed. Rafael Nadal will not be at the event after he turned down a wild card.