Having played for three days in a row – his victory over Stepanek was spread over Monday and Tuesday because of the weather – he at least had a day of rest before today’s third-round meeting with Ivo Karlovic.
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But rather than have the match in the bag, Murray suffered an unlikely implosion to gift his 22-year-old opponent a route back into the match as every aspect of his game disintegrated.
I didn’t know my opponent in the second round, (I’ve) never really seen him play a match, which can make things a bit tricky. The Croatian – the all-time record holder for aces served on tour – is a tough customer, but at age 37 the fact that he endured such a lengthy thriller with Australia’s Jordan Thompson will surely hurt his hopes. Were Murray to lose for the first time to Karlovic after six straight wins, it might pop up one more time. Obviously we can expect fairly short points and once again Murray’s returning will need to be on point to avoid being the second Brit to be ousted by Isner.
But the matches have been close-eight of their sets have gone to tiebreaks with Murray winning five of the eight.
The world No.2 had needed 10 sets and over seven hours to win his first two drama-packed matches at Roland Garros.
Halep edged out Naomi Osaka 4-6 6-2 6-3. She is nearly four months old and makes him smile whenever he can grab a moment away from the stress that has plainly threatened to undermine the best chance he has ever had to win the title.
The New England Patriots joined the latest “Deflategate” appeal to support Tom Brady, taking sides with their star quarterback in court for the first time in his fight against the National Football League and Commissioner Roger Goodell.
“For sure, tomorrow I will be exhausted. But right now I’d take that as positive”. “I was very happy”. Jeremy Chardy (FRA)[30] 6-4 6-3 7-5 Kei Nishikori (JPN)[5] d.
Normally you would think that you would start the match off a little bit flatter. “It’s unbelievable because this year I was struggling with the injury”, Karlovic said.
He has yet to lose a set but has yet to play another seed, too, and that good fortune continues in the fourth round, as Albert Ramos-Vinolas beat No23 seed Jack Sock after well over four hours and fives sets, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Breaking twice in succession to open the match, Murray made quick work of Karlovic, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (3) and gave himself more time to recover ahead of what could be a grueling second week. Karlovic was credited with just over 100 winners in the marathon.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova goes up against American Shelby Rogers who will be seeking to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.
Eighth-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic had few problems with Adrian Mannarino of France, winning 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), 6-1.
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Double grand slam victor Svetlana Kuznetsova, seeded 13th, dismissed Brit Heather Watson 6-1, 6-3.
