Andy Murray hopes to be clear of a niggling back problem ahead of next week’s French Open.
The Scot, who pulled out of Madrid Masters earlier this month due to the knock, was beaten by France’s Richard Gasquet 6-7 (1/7) 6-3 6-2 in the Rome Masters.
However the British number one hopes the problem will be gone in time for the second Grand Slam of the year, which starts on May 22.
"My back was a little bit sore towards the end, but I was expecting that coming into the tournament," Murray said in The Independent.
"I've had it a while, since December. Obviously since then there hasn't been that much time to take an extended break."
He added: "Hopefully by the time the French Open comes around I'll be in peak condition. That's the goal."
Following his close win over David Nalbandian, Murray started this match well.
But after taking the first set, he allowed Gasquet to take a two-game lead in the second set.
The Frenchman won it before claiming the decider to set up a meeting with David Ferrer in the quarter-finals.
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