The Djokovic jinx is over - now can Andy Murray win the French Open?

Andy Murray overcame his Djokovic jinx to beat him in straight sets, 6-3 6-3, to win the Rome Masters. With just a week to go until the start of the French Open, this will boost the British number one's confidence no end.

He had said before the match that he could not remember ever winning on his birthday previously - but, as he turned 29, he showed just how much his form on clay has improved with a sparkling display against his nemesis.

Just a week beforehand, Murray had looked in good form as he pushed Djokovic hard in the final of the Madrid Masters. To have gone one better so quickly, turning a promising display into a comprehensive victory, will be a massive source of pride for the Scot.

He ended his partnership with coach Amelie Mauresmo earlier this month, but will head to Roland Garros with a support team including former Davis Cup player Jamie Delgado on hand. Dani Vallverdu has just parted company with Tomas Berdych, and is now being linked with a return to Murray's camp, which he left in 2014.

Barry Flatman, The Times: "That Murray did not have a head coach in situ after the parting of the ways with Amelie Mauresmo probably worked in his favour. Having to assimilate information gleaned a week earlier and then translate it himself into a winning game plan appeared to sharpen his mind."

Kevin Mitchell, The Guardian: "Since they were 11 they have been duelling and it has largely gone the Serb’s way when it matters – apart from the two slam finals that Murray won, at Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows. How he would love to add the French to that collection, on a surface that was treacherous for both of them here on Sunday but might just be kind to the Scot in Paris."

Simon Briggs, The Telegraph: "The 6-3 6-3 victory was the culmination of a superb clay-court season for a man who once seemed so uncomfortable on the red dirt that it might as well have been broken glass. The turnaround began last year, with back-to-back titles in Munich and Madrid, but this week has surely seen the best performances Murray has ever produced in continental Europe."

Mike Dickson, The Daily Mail: "A few weeks ago Novak Djokovic will have seen a resurgent Rafael Nadal as the biggest threat to his dream of a first French Open title. Not any more he won’t. That was after the Monte Carlo Open but, with the rarity of three different winners from the three Masters level clay court tournaments, Andy Murray now represents his most clear and present danger."

Djokovic wasn't in a good mood, blaming the umpire Damian Steiner for refusing to halt play to allow the clay court to be tended, and complaining about receiving a warning for throwing his racket. He said afterwards: "The chair umpire was on fire today. He really wanted to show his authority to me. So congratulations to him."

Mum Judy Murray was thrilled, posing for post-match pictures with her son - who was apparently less pleased with the whole rigmarole.

The French Open begins on Sunday May 22. Stan Wawrinka won it last year, beating Novak Djokovic - who had beaten Murray and Rafael Nadal en route to the final.

So can Andy Murray win the French Open? He's certainly enjoying his time on the clay, and he'll feel relieved to have got that win against Djokovic under his belt.

The defenders of Djokovic will say that he had a draining semi-final on Saturday plus a slight injury to his foot - but even so, he has managed to beat Murray on less than 100 per cent form previously.

Andy Murray certainly can win the French Open. Whether he will or not... well, that's an entirely different question.