Andy Murray will play his first match at Roland Garros in two years when he takes on Andrey Golubev in the first round.

The world No8 was forced to miss the event last year with a back problem and returns this season having undergone surgery.

Despite clay being far from the Scot’s best surface, Murray’s last two trips to the French Open included a semi-final in 2011 and a quarter-final showing in 2012.

He enters this year’s edition coming off an impressive last eight match with Rafael Nadal, where he almost beat the Spaniard but ultimately fell short midway through the final set.

“It was a good match for me. It was good progress in Rome, and obviously the goal here is to keep that going and remain at that level as often as I can for the rest of the year,” said Murray.

“I was obviously very disappointed last year to have not come. I have always enjoyed playing here. It’s nice to be back.”

Murray is yet to announce a new coach since he parted ways with Ivan Lendl two months ago. The Wimbledon champion says he is close to making a decision but it is unlikely he will have any new additions to his team this fortnight.

“For me it’s not about rushing into something. It’s about getting it right, getting the right person. Until that’s the case I’ll keep doing what I’m doing with the guys I’m working with,” said the two-time Grand Slam winner.

“The target is the same. The target is to win Grand Slams. That’s what I want to do. I will pick the person I feel is best able to help me with that.”

Murray has beaten 53rd-ranked Golubev in their only previous meeting, six years ago in the final at St. Petersburg.

The 26-year-old Kazakh peaked at No33 in the world back in 2010 and has posted four top-10 wins in his career – including one over world No3 Stan Wawrinka in the Davis Cup earlier this year.

“He’s had some good wins. He’s a very dangerous player who has a big forehand and goes for his shots,” said Murray. “When he’s on, he’s a very tough guy to beat.”

Also starting her campaign in Paris is 2011 champion Li Na. The No2 seed faces home favourite Kristina Mladenovic in a rematch of their first round here in 2010.

China’s Li Na has made the quarter- finals or better in six of her seven events this season, which include two titles in Shenzhen and the Australian Open.