Andy Murray vs Andrey Kuznetsov as it happened: World No 1 through to second round after battling past Russian
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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 4-6 2-0 Kuznetsov
The Russian may have lacked a little aggression earlier on during the match, but he certainly isn't anymore. He bounds forward on the first point of this game, twice volleying Murray's attempted passing shots back at him before finishing it off with a smash.
On the next point he tries another one of his feather-light drop shots, which a sprinting Murray just about gets to. Predictably, Kuznetsov looks to finish it with a lob, only for Murray to turn on a sixpence and sprint back to his own line. He somehow manages to round the ball, hitting it high into the air, landing it just within the baseline. A superb shot, made even better by Kuznetsov belting his smash shot into the net. Murray wins the point.
And Murray goes onto win the game. Rattled, the Russian makes a couple of avoidable errors and hands Murray the initiative in this third set.
Murray breaks.
Murray 6-4 4-6 3-0 Kuznetsov*
An important game for Murray, this ... and he holds to love. A backhand smash winner at the net the clear highlight.
Murray* 6-4 4-6 3-1 Kuznetsov
The Russian gets on the board in this third set, aceing Murray at 30-15 and winning it with a smash shot at the net.
Murray 6-4 4-6 4-1 Kuznetsov*
After a series of long, nip-and-tuck games, these are beginning to pass in the blink of an eye. Murray races into a 40-0 lead in double-quick time, whistling down a couple of powerful serves that Kuznetsov can only daub into the net.
The Russian pulls one point back, and then reads Murray's backhand smash at the net attempt perfectly, opening up his body and firing his forehand return back down the line. Can he get it to deuce?
Almost. He dictates the tempo of the rally at 40-30 but chooses the wrong moment to attack, charging to the net and allowing himself to be picked off by Murray's pinpoint backhand.
Murray* 6-4 4-6 4-2 Kuznetsov
Kuznetsov is really swinging for the lines now and he's not happy with one shot called out at 30-all. "It was way out," Murray helpfully informs him when he approaches the net to question the Umpire.
It doesn't get much better for the Russian who then wildly mishits a forehand, the ball looping into the air and dropping slap bang in the direction of the Umpire, who has to beat the ball away to stop it smacking him in the face.
Break point for Murray. But Kuznetsov successfully defends it, and holds with an ace and a shanked Murray backhand which falls well wide of the line.
Murray 6-4 4-6 5-2 Kuznetsov*
Murray recovers from 0-15 down for a routine hold.
Murray* 6-4 4-6 6-2 Kuznetsov
Kuznetsov doesn't half like a drop shot. Murray defends his backhand volley at the net but the Russian then wins the point with a killer little tap which the World No 1 doesn't even bother to charge down. There's then much hilarity in the crowd when Murray miscues a forehand which goes looping off into about the tenth row.
However, a couple of needless Kuznetsov forehand errors give Murray the chance of breaking to win the set. And he then finds himself with a set point when Kuznetsov pushes forehand long. Can he take it?
Yup! Kuznetsov charges the net but doesn't have the touch to control Murray's powerful passing shot. He reaches it but deflects it wide of the line.
Murray breaks and wins the set 6-2.
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