Jump directly to the content
HERE OUI GO, ANDY

Andy Murray downs Martin Klizan in tough second-round win at French Open

ANDY MURRAY limped into the French Open third round - and will go no further if he doesn't improve significantly on this performance.

Martin Klizan was the one with strapping on his left calf and a five-set match already in his body, but it was the world No 1 who looked heavy-legged and hapless for long periods.

 Andy Murray celebrates getting through to the French Open third round
10
Andy Murray celebrates getting through to the French Open third roundCredit: Reuters

Murray came through 6-7 6-2 6-2 7-6 to earn a clash with Juan Martin Del Potro.


Keep up to date with ALL the latest tennis news, gossip and rumours.


But it won't be a repeat of their epic, see-sawing Olympic final unless the Scot recovers quickly and improves dramatically from this ordeal.

 Murray's wife Kim was in the stands to cheer him on at Roland Garros
10
Murray's wife Kim was in the stands to cheer him on at Roland GarrosCredit: Rex Features
 Murray was made to toil in the Parisian heat during the first set
10
Murray was made to toil in the Parisian heat during the first setCredit: Getty Images
 Slovakian world no50 Martin Klizan gave Murray a run for his money
10
Slovakian world no50 Martin Klizan gave Murray a run for his moneyCredit: Getty Images

Passive from the start, Murray just struggled to make things happen and fed balls for his opponent to punish with his vicious forehand.

The Brit recovered an early break when Klizan served for the match but then played a terrible tiebreak to fall behind.

It took a mishit Murray return to help turn the tide in the second set.

 Murray disputes a line call on the clay at Roland Garros
10
Murray disputes a line call on the clay at Roland GarrosCredit: Getty Images
 Kim Murray courtside ahead of husband Andy's second-round win
10
Kim Murray courtside ahead of husband Andy's second-round winCredit: Rex Features
 Murray bounced back from losing the first set
10
Murray bounced back from losing the first setCredit: Rex Features

And even after taking the third comfortably, Murray slumped back into his earlier bad temper and poor play, falling 5-2 behind in the fourth.

But eventually he came good - or at least better.

A terrible overhead by Klizan when serving for the set gave Murray the break back - after a netcord in the Scot's favour earlier in the rally.

 Murray's coach Ivan Lendl watches on with Kim at the French Open
10
Murray's coach Ivan Lendl watches on with Kim at the French OpenCredit: Getty Images
 Klizan required treatment on his shoulder during a break
10
Klizan required treatment on his shoulder during a breakCredit: AP:Associated Press

The tiring Slovak did all he could, saving two break points brilliantly at 5-5.

Murray led 3-0 in the tiebreak only to be pegged back to 3-2.

But he won the next three rallies to bring up four match points and took the second of them to win in three hours and 35 minutes.

 Murray shows his emotions after fighting back from a break down to take the fourth set against the Slovakian
10
Murray shows his emotions after fighting back from a break down to take the fourth set against the SlovakianCredit: Rex Features

Murray said: "I expected it to be very tough.

"He goes for huge shots. With his forehand he can hit winners from anywhere on the court.

"I tried to play a solid match. As it went on I managed to hit the ball a bit deeper and control more of the points."

Topics