Top seed and 2016 runner-up Andy Murray will continue his French Open campaign against Martin Klizan on Thursday. The second day of second-round action also includes what could be a competitive contest between Juan Martin Del Potro and Nicolas Almagro.
(1) Andy Murray vs. Martin Klizan
Murray and Klizan will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they collide in round two of the French Open on Thursday. Their only previous encounter came last fall in Vienna, where Murray survived 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-0. The mercurial Klizan is no stranger to such roller-coaster rides and he endured another one on Tuesday at Roland Garros, where he controversially got the best of wild card Laurent Lokoli 7-6(4), 6-3, 4-6, 0-6, 6-4. Lokoli offered no handshake following what was Klizan’s fifth victory in his last three clay-court tournaments. The 50th-ranked Slovak is a mediocre 11-13 in 2017 but has at least managed to heat up somewhat since starting 1-4.
Murray’s opener featured a less significant mid-match wobble, as the world No. 1 eventually coasted past Andrey Kuznetsov 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0. The last two sets and certainly the overall victory were much-needed, and not just because Murray is defending 2016 runner-up points. This season has been a mighty struggle for the Scot, who is a mere 17-7 and an even 5-5 in his last 10 matches since capturing the Dubai title back in February. In his last two outings combined against Borna Coric and Fabio Fognini heading into the French Open, Murray took a total of 12 games–and lost 24 in his two straight-set losses. Clay gives Klizan a real chances of extending the top seed’s woes; perhaps even more than a chance.
Pick: Klizan in 5
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Nicolas Almagro vs. (29) Juan Martin Del Potro
Neither a lack of form nor injuries have been problems for Del Potro in 2017, but his season has been an abbreviated one due to precautionary rest and the recent death of his grandfather. Tough early-round draws have also put a dent in the Argentine’s progress, as he is ranked lower (30th) than his current level would suggest. That being said, Del Potro is a solid 12-6 on the year and he delivered a stellar performance from start to finish in disposing of countryman Guido Pella 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 on Tuesday.
Up next for the 2009 U.S. Open champion is a fourth career ATP-level showdown against Almagro, who is a hopeless 0-3 in the head-to-head series and 0-6 in total sets. Del Potro picked up a pair of victories in 2013 and most recently prevailed 6-4, 6-3 at the indoor tournament in Stockholm last fall. Almagro evened his 2017 record at 9-9 when he defeated Marcos Baghdatis 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(1) during first-round action at Roland Garros. The 69th-ranked Spaniard is always a force on clay, but nothing about his current form suggests he is ready to reverse the trend of his past failures against Del Potro.
Pick: Del Potro in 3
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When assessing Andy’s form bear in mind he had a run of ill health for the first few months this year, including shingles (something some people may not know or have forgotten) which can be very debilitating.
# Ricky is winding up Muzz supporters
Who’s up a break in the first? KRAZY KLIZAN!! Also Del Po fell and is freaking moving slowly and like hobbled right now. Screw you clay. Hang in there JMDP
Yes!!..Great point by Andy!!…C’mon Andy!..get him!!
Yes!!!There is the break back!!!…C’mon Andy!Let’s go!!
First set to Klizan, but I think Andy’s playing better now after a very slow start. Hopefully he’ll get the next 3!
Almagro retired, Berdych on the point of going out, CCs not his best surface though, aside from the run in 2010 ….
Yes!Break!..now hold on to your serve Andy!!
Almagro having a melt down after retiring, Kudos from Delpo for the way he sportingly sat with him comforting him after the match ….
Oh really Al?..I didn’t see it…DelPo always have a soft heart…
Almagro lay down on the court and cried loudly:
https://twitter.com/TennisChannel/status/870268313720438784/video/1
Oh God that was terrible to see! Poor Almagro! Delpo was so wonderful and caring in that moment. But you don’t often see a player break down in tears on the court. It shows the toll injuries can take on players.,
I feel for Almagro. I hope he can recover soon.
It looks like Murray may be going to a fifth set. Klizan up 5-2 in the fourth set.
Did Ricky know something we didn’t know?
Now Klizan will try to serve it out and take it to a fifth set.
C’mon Andy!Break him once again!!
Andy has two break points.
Andy breaks back! That could be huge here.
They just said Kyrgios destroyed a racket and has already gotten a point penalty. Next he wil lose a game. Kyrgios having a tough time with Anderson and not holding it together.
Yes!!!..Break indeed!!Woohooo!!
Oh God!..Andy is so good with drop shot and use it to his advantage…very smart!
Yes!!Finish it in 4 Andy!!C’mon!!
I think Klizan blew it when he couldn’t serve it out. Andy should be able to do it in four.
I think so too Nny!
Woohohohoho!!..Great point!!
These guys are crazy!Hahaha..
Wow! Anderson is now up two sets to one!
Kyrgios is in trouble.
I think Klizan is done.
Wawrinka is a dork.
https://twitter.com/usopen/status/870282733024669697
Are you a Wawa fan?
Please tell me you’re joking when u ask hawks if he’s a fan of Stan
Mary Carillo just said that Murray was on antibiotics last week and couldn’t practice.
Murray gets the win.
yes!!!…What a point to finish the match!!!!Woohohohoho!!
Anderson is up a break in the fourth set. This is not looking good for Kyrgios.
Anderson serving for the match. Didn’t see this one coming.
He does it!
Pretty disappointing from NK, he just fell apart there.
Murray wins as expected. 6-1 now on picks I disagreed with Ricky.
Congrats to Me.
(Commies to Ricky.)
Pre-tournament differences from Ricky:
1st rnd:
GGL over Muller
Robredo over Evans
Fognini over Tiafoe
Estrella “Dam” Burgos over Gabba Gabba
Giraldo over Seppi
Kyrgios over Kohls
2nd rnd:
Murray over Klizan
#HawkstradamusRising
#NoleIsBack
Rafa is second on PC tomorrow after Garbiñe Muguruza vs Putintseva.
The weather forecast says it’s going to rain tomorrow afternoon:
http://paris.lachainemeteo.com/meteo-france/ville/previsions-meteo-paris-3903-1.php
🙁
not a bad time to time. I am just hoping we have sunshine in week 2, esp the business end. The only scenario I see where Rafa can may be lose is if we have a cool, damp conditions and his opponent is playing one of their best matches ever and throwing everything (wawrinka for e.g.). Djokovic in rainy conditions can also be very very dangerous. Remember FO 2012 final?
I saw a replay of the 2012 final in the tennis channel last week. It was a mess when they had to play in the rainy and damp conditions until they stopped play.
I hope that tomorrow is just one bad day. I hope that Rafa gets his match in before it pours. He’s scheduled to play the second match.
I think in cold damp conditions, Rafa should play more inside the court and tries to take the ball early to take away time (and space) from any big hitting opponent. He staying behind the baseline would allow big hitters to hit hard to wherever they want without missing much because of the heavier balls.
Rafa would have learnt from his previous experiences playing on rainy days in heavy conditions on damp clay, I hope.
Looks like it is going to rain from 12 noon to 7 pm. Wonder what will happen to Rafa’s match?
and Khachanov certainly has a chance vs. Iz