After his two-day battle with Radek Stepanek, Murray had to go the distance in successive matches for the first time at a grand slam since 2005 but scraped through 6-2 2-6 4-6 6-2 6-3.
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These points are beginning to follow a very similar pattern, with Murray prowling the baseline and Karlovic constantly on the lookout to come closer into the net.
The sixth-seeded pair started the first set on a good note, taking a comfortable 5-2 lead over their opponents.
Novak Djokovic, the current top-ranked player, can win his 50th match at Roland Garros by defeating qualifier Steve Darcis of Belgium.
Murray has won all six of their matches to date but they have never played on a clay court.
Murray’s answer? Filet du boeuf avec maison frites et salade verte – steak and chips with a green salad.
Andy Murray’s reward for a straight-set win in the third round of the French Open: a steak dinner.
Andy Murray’s superb form going into the French Open could be a factor in his struggles at Roland Garros, according to Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith.
Playing in only her second major tournament, Osaka won the first set but then struggled against the 2014 French Open runner-up from Romania. “If you look at the first two matches, for sure I’m not playing my best tennis, but I know I have my best tennis in me”, the 31-year-old Wawrinka, playing in his 45th consecutive grand slam tournament, told reporters.
Karlovic managed to avoid losing a love set for only the fifth time in his career and thereafter it was much tighter.
Karlovic, at 37 years of age, is the oldest player at the French Open, and his fitness levels are not on par with Murray’s.
Murray’s strength off the return and superb hand skills enabled him to place the ball in the most awkward spots for Karlovic. Murray made a combined 10 unforced errors over the last two sets, after having at least that many in each of the first three.
Romania’s Halep, runner-up to Maria Sharapova in 2014, took a while to tame Kazakhstan’s Zarina Diyas to win 7-6 (5) 6-2 and Czech Lucie Safarova, beaten by Serena Williams in the final a year ago, beat Swiss Viktorija Golubic 6-2 6-2.
Things began predictably enough as the sun finally showed its face in Paris but, from 6-2 2-0 up, Murray inexplicably lost 24 of the next 27 points and eight games in row, and then found himself two sets to one down.
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