It’s the home Slam for French player Richard Gasquet, and although he is a top 10 seed, has not been in the best of form lately. “Today there were many ups and downs, but I have my tennis and I’m ready to step it up”.
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“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.
Later in the set, though, the two-time Grand Slam champion battled to a double break to take the set and the match. Fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan completed a 6-1, 7-5, 6-3 victory over Simone Bolelli of Italy yesterday. Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced to the second round with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Yaroslava Shvedova.
Former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard says she has overcome an eating disorder brought on by “a lot of pressure” and the added expectation that followed her breakthrough year in 2014. Both players won their opening games easily and although Murray is the overwhelming favorite, Mathias Bourgue will give this match everything he has got since he has nothing at all to lose.
Nishikori has spent less than four hours in two straight-set wins on the tiring red-clay courts to advance to the third round; Wawrinka has accumulated more than five hours, and Murray more than seven. “It’s not the same thing in women’s singles at all”.
When play was finally suspended Murray had repaired some of the damage but still trailed 3-6 3-6 6-0 4-2.
“It’s the only time when being old is okay”, joked Karlovic, who has never beaten Murray in six career meetings.
The set eventually ended with a tie-break, which Wawrinka edged 9-7 before snatching serve at the first time of asking in the second set.
Yet Stepanek will return on Tuesday believing he can become the oldest man to win a round at Roland Garros since Jimmy Connors (aged 38) in 1991.
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The 27th-seeded Karlovic produced 41 aces in his 6-7 (2), 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-7 (4), 12-10 win over the Australian wild-card entry, including three in the final game.
