Top seed and World No.1 Andy Murray recovered from a mid-match blip to defeat Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.
Murray started survived a slow start. He recovered from a love-forty deficit to hold his first service game. A break came for the Scot in the fifth game, as some typically fierce returning saw Kuznetsov pushed off-balance.
Murray was not completely comfortable though, and Kuznetsov was looking strong in the direct rallies, surprising Murray with an array of low-percentage shots to get back on serve. The Russian is not such a strong defender however, and Murray worked the angles to earn the break again. It resulted in the first set.
Kuznetsov seemed encouraged by his ability to break serve, and he followed Murray’s example by breaking in game five. Kuznetsov continued his surge and took a double break with a backhand winner.
Murray earned one of the breaks back, and threatened to get back on serve as the Russian served for the set. A pair of vicious forehand winners settled the game and the set in the Russian’s favour though.
Murray returned to form in the third set, and the Briton managed to take the set in under half an hour. An early break settled the nerves and Kuznetsov resorted to becoming more aggressive in an attempt to find some traction. The result was Murray earning a double break to complete the set. Kuznetsov surrendered the double break as a sliced backhand volley drifted wide into the tramlines.
Murray held a tough opening service game of the fourth set before breaking Kuznetsov’s serve twice in succession. Murray finished the match with another break, a run of seven straight games going back to the third set as the Kuznetsov challenge quickly faded.
Murray ” Yeah well he goes for his shots, he plays very aggressive, very close to the baseline very flat. But it was quite windy today and when you play close to the lines it can make things quite difficult. Last year was a great year for me it was the best i’d ever played. Last year was really good and last year during Bercy was where I reached No.1 for the first time so I have very good memories here. Sometimes when you have a bit of a lead and bit relaxed its easier to hit them (drop-shots.)”
Murray’s second round opponent is Slovakian left-hander Martin Klizan. He had to come from behind to defeat local wildcard Laurent Lokoli in five sets.
Murray’s potential third round opponent, Juan Martin del Potro, eased past compatriot Guido Pella 6-2, 6-1, 6-4. Del Potro had come in with injury concerns leading some to believe he could retire before the tournament. However, the match lasted under two hours and puts del Potro in a good position when he takes on Nicolas Almagro in the second round. Almagro was a four-set winner over Marcos Baghdatis.
