Andy Murray vs Andrey Kuznetsov as it happened: World No 1 through to second round after battling past Russian
Relive all of the action from Roland Garros
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Your support makes all the difference.Top seed Andy Murray cleared a potentially tricky first round hurdle at the French Open on Tuesday, downing in-form Russian Andrey Kuznetsov 6-4 4-6 6-2 6-0.
After a regulation first set that he won in 45 minutes, the world number one lost his bearings midway through the second, dropping four games in a row to allow his 73rd-ranked opponent to square the match.
The Scot then moved through the gears and breezed the third and fourth sets with the loss of just two games.
Murray will play World No 53 Martin Klizan in the next round.
Where can I watch it?
If you’re in the UK, you have a choice. Both ITV4 and British Eurosport will be screening the action.
What’s the head to head record?
Murray has won both of their previous encounters. The first at the 2014 US Open in four sets, the second in Beijing last season, which Murray won 6-2 6-1.
What have they been saying?
Murray: “The past few months have not been good, obviously. I haven't played well. I had a few issues as well.
“I need to accept that I'm struggling and then find a way to get through it.
“I will get through it - I'm sure of that. When that happens, I don't know. Hopefully it happens in a few days. Hopefully it happens at this event. If it doesn't, maybe it happens during the grass.”
Kuznetsov: “If you maybe see the results he showed on clay, maybe it's not his best as he showed last year.
“A few guys like (Borna) Coric, for example, beat him in Madrid. It shows that it's possible to beat him. Also in the first rounds of the big tournaments, maybe they need some time to find rhythm and so on.
“Of course it will be important to start good. If it goes to a five-setter, there will be a few more chances for him to win because of the physical conditions.
“But if he starts a little bit nervy and shaky, and I start with confidence, maybe I can win one set and take a lead in the second.
“For me it's a good experience to play against a world number one. If I win, I will be a hero. If I lose, nobody will be surprised. [There is] nothing to lose for me.”
What are the odds?
Andy Murray to win: 2/11
Andrey Kuznetsov to win: 24/5
And who will the winner play in the next round?
Either the Czech Republic’s Martin Kližan or French wildcard Laurent Lokoli. Kližan — who reached the third round at Roland-Garros three years ago before losing to Marcel Granollers — is the more likely opponent.
Murray 6-4 2-1 Kuznetsov*
Brilliant from Murray. Kuznetsov gets himself to 30-all with a smart forehand down the line which Murray lunges for but can't quite reach, but Murray ends the run of breaks: belting a crosscourt backhand past his opponent and then showing sublime touch to feather a drop shot over the net. Kuznetsov just about picks it up, but can only dollop it into the net.
Murray* 6-4 2-2 Kuznetsov
After an hour of relatively routine tennis, Kuznetsov is beginning to get the crowd on his side. He wins the first point of this match with a powerful forehand hit from the baseline, which zips past Murray at a rate of knots, and then moves 40-0 up with a powerful smash shot at the net, after the scampering Murray had somehow chased down a couple of big forehands.
But then he allows Murray back into things. At 40-15 he's guilty of playing completely the wrong shot, hitting a weak drop shot which doesn't clear the net. On the next point, Murray then shows him how it is done, with a perfectly weighted attempt which falls just the right side of the tape. Kuznetsov does remarkably well to reach it and prod it back over the net, but Murray finishes him off with the lob.
A couple of big serves get the Russian out of trouble though: an ace and an unreturnable. We stay on serve in the second set.
Murray 6-4 2-3 Kuznetsov*
Murray is having some real trouble with his serve in this second set. At 30-all he tries to go big with his second serve, but belts it into the net. To make matters worse, Kuznetsov wins the next point with a wonderfully angled drop shot, which skids across Murray before he even has time to lunge forwards in desperation.
Kuznetsov breaks.
Murray 6-4* 2-4 Kuznetsov
After handing Murray two very cheap breaks earlier in the match, can Kuznetsov now hold when it really matters? He races into a 40-0 lead. So far, so good. But Murray pulls a point back with a well-placed backhand down the line, and then another when Kuznetsov makes an unforced error of his own backhand.
He holds his nerve though, winning the next point to take a 4-2 lead in this second set.
Murray 6-4 2-5 Kuznetsov*
Murray is in big trouble in this second set now. At 30-all, Kuznetsov aggressively pads forward and smashes a volley at the net beyond him, before breaking with a passing shot that Murray is unable to slide and return in time.
Kuznetsov breaks.
Murray* 6-4 3-5 Kuznetsov
Kuznetsov serving for this second set then ... but he falls 0-40 behind in a matter of seconds. The Russian keeps getting himself into these positions and then throwing all his hard work away. Murray holds his nerve and breaks back, and is now back to one break down.
Murray 6-4 4-5 Kuznetsov*
Murray is well placed to hold to love until he thwacks a forehand hopelessly long. But he keeps his head and forces Kuznetsov into a forehand error of his own on the next point. He's now only one game behind in the second, although the Russian will again serve for the set.
Murray* 6-4 4-6 Kuznetsov
A good start from Murray, forcing Kuznetsov into a forehand and backhand error to move 0-30 up. but the Russian cranks up that crosscourt forehand and pulls a point back. He has the crowd on their feet moments later, holding his own in a baseline rally with the World No 1, and then ripping his forehand down the line to move 40-30 up.
He holds with yet another winner, this time a powerful backhand which wrong-foots Murray.
Andrey Kuznetsov wins the second set 6-4
Murray 6-4 4-6 1-0 Kuznetsov*
Better from Murray. At 15-30, and with Kuznetsov hacking back just about everything that he's throwing at him, Murray pads forward and belts a forehand through his opponent which lands flush on the line. He dominates the next rally and forces Kuznetsov into an error, and is able to hold.
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