Andy Murray had to work hard to advance to the third round at Roland Garros after his 6-7(3) 6-2 6-2 7-6(3).
This on paper should be a straightforward contest, however given the form of the Brit and the presence of Klizan’s big occasion tennis, this was no walk in the park.
Despite a flashy start to the match from Klizan, Murray held at the start of the match for a 1-0 lead. Klizan imposed himself on the world number one and as a result sprung a shock break in the third game for a 2-1 lead. Klizan continued to impose his game and held for a 3-1 lead. Powerful forehands the key for Klizan dictating play. As Murray was struggling, the world number 50 placed himself in a commanding position as he used his big serve to lead 5-3. However when the pressure was on, Klizan faltered as he handed the break back to the Brit as the opener was levelled at 5-5. Murray took control against a frustrated Klizan as he held for a 6-5 lead. Despite the pressure, Klizan kept his cool and the first set went to a tiebreak. Klizan started to hit the lines with some of his groundstrokes and cause the Brit a lot o trouble. Last year’s finalist was frustrated and conceded the tiebreak 7-3. First blood to the Slovakian.
In the second set, Klizan began where he left off to attack the Murray forehand. It came with some success as Murray was struggling, however a lucky backhand gave the top seed the break in the fifth game for a 3-2 lead. The Brit consolidated the break for a 4-2 lead and had momentum on his side. Murray soon broke for a 5-2 lead and began to control the contest. The world number one sealed the second set in 34 minutes to level the match at a set all.
The third set saw Murray become the aggressor as he broke for a 1-0 lead. This saw the Slovakian become loose and erratic with his groundstrokes as he started to lose his grip on the contest. This showed in the fifth game as Murray increased the pressure on his opponent and once again broke for a 4-1 lead in the fourth set. The confident Brit won the next two of three games to grab the third set 6-2.
Despite his dominance in the previous two sets, Murray looked sloppy in the early stages of the fourth and resulted in a break of serve for Klizan to lead 2-0. The Slovakian was producing a masterclass in dropshots as he stormed to a 3-0 lead. Murray was being given the run around as he trailed 5-2. The brit’s movement was being restricted and concerns were being raised by the Parisian fans on Lenglen. It looked like Klizan was going to secure the set however a wild volley gave Murray some life as he pulled the set back on serve at 5-4. Despite the pressure applied Klizan saved multiple break points to lead 6-5 in a crucial set. Murray hung on to his service game and therefore the set went to a tiebreak. Unlike the tiebreak in the first set it was Murray who dominated and managed to dominate the rallies to secure a hard fought victory in four sets, 6-7(3) 6-2 6-2 7-6(3).
Andy Murray made it hard work but will be pleased with his performance and will now play Juan Martin Del Potro on Saturday in the third round of Roland Garros
‘Expected To Be Tough’
After the match Murray said that he expected a tough contest, the brit added ‘He (Klizan) can hit winners from anywhere on the court. As the match progressed I dictated the match and I played a solid contest. There were some entertaining points and the atmosphere was great.’
Stan Wawrinka
Stan Wawrinka produced a 6-4 7-6(5) 7-5 victory over Alexandr Dolgopolov.
The 2015 champion started off well as he broke in the second game for a 2-0 love lead, he then maintained the break for 3-0. The erratic Dolgopolov found his comfort zone and held for 3-1. Wawrinka used his serve to dictate play, leads 4-1 in opening set. However the Ukrainian failed to give up and his resistance paid off as a Wawrinka double fault handed the Ukrainian the break of serve for 4-3. Wawrinka breaks the Ukrainian resistance and determination to take the opening set 6-4.
The Second set went with serve as both players played to their ultimate strengths. Wawrinka using the backhand while Dolgopolov continued
to be his unpredictable self. Despite struggling Dolgopolov held for 4-4 in the second set. Both players cancelled each other’s strengths and the second set resulted in a tiebreak. However it was the 2015 champion who showed more passion and desire to take the tiebreak 7-5.
The third set proved to be tough, however after a break in the eleventh game the three time grand slam champion served it out to seal a 6-4 7-6(5) 7-5 victory over Dolgopolov to move into the third round. He will now play Fabio Fognini, who secured a 6-4 7-5 6-3 victory over compatriot Andreas Seppi.
