Andy Murray vs Martin Klizan, French Open live: World No 1 battles back to book his place in the third round
Murray saw off the Slovakian with a gruelling 6-7(3) 6-2 6-2 7-6(3) win
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Your support makes all the difference.Andy Murray's struggles this season on clay came back to plague him at the French Open on Thursday as he ground out an unconvincing 6-7(3) 6-2 6-2 7-6(3) win against Slovakian power-hitter Martin Klizan.
Out-hit and more surprisingly often out-thought in the first set by a player he had described as unpredictable, the Scot conceded it on a tiebreask.
Looking faster and keener, Murray pushed through the second set in 37 minutes and the third in one minute less.
The Slovakian, ranked 50, then began to chance his arm and, as Murray's level dipped, raced to a 5-2 lead before, with yet another momentum shift, the Scot broke back and took the fourth set to a tiebreak, closing out the match with a scrambled volley.
What time is it?
Murray is second up on the second showcourt at Roland-Garros, meaning he will likely be on court around 2pm UK time.
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?
The pair have only ever met once before, at last year’s ATP 500 Vienna Open. Murray was made to work for his win, losing a second-set tiebreak before bouncing back in the third: 6-3 6-7 6-0.
What have they been saying?
Murray: "He has a lot of talent. He can hit a big ball. He is quite unpredictable on the court. He plays a lot of drop shots and quite unorthodox shot selection, so it can be difficult to prepare for that.
Obviously I saw a few videos of his match (against Lokoli). It was pretty entertaining. Hopefully I can go out there and play some good tennis and make it tough for him.
Klizan: "I'm still playing doubles today after playing singles for four hours. Great scheduling, especially when I'm coming back from injury, so it's very tough now. I'll do the best to recover and be ready for the next match.”
What are the odds?
Andy Murray to win: 1/14
Martin Klizan to win: 15/2
And who will the winner play in the next round?
Either Nicolás Almagro or — more probably and more intimidatingly — 2009 US Open champion Juan Martín del Potro.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Andy Murray's second round match against Martin Klizan.
Join us for build-up as well as game by game coverage from the French Open.
A good omen...
Andy Murray has never lost to a player ranked as low as 50 (Klizan's current ATP ranking) at Roland Garros.
The lowest player to have ever defeated Murray here in Paris?
That would be home favourite Gael Monfils, who was the World No 28 when he won their first round match in five sets, all the way back in 2006.
Murray was in good form after his post-match presser on Tuesday. This from Paul Newman...
Incidentally, while Murray is playing in the rarified air of Court Suzanne Lenglen - possibly one of the most iconic venues in the sport - the two men he could meet in the next round will be slugging it out on Court 2.
It's been a little bit surprising to see Del Potro playing out his return on the lesser courts, especially considering he took Roger Federer to five-sets in a memorable 2009 semi-final. But if both of the favourites win today, you can bet both Murray and DelPo will be returning to the grand Court Philippe Chatrier to battle for a place in the fourth round.
Also a fun fact: Del Potro is contesting his 100th Tour-level clay-court match today. Were it not for a series of cruel injuries, he would easily have played in more than double that number.
Agnieszka Radwańska has just won her second round match in three sets meaning Murray will be on court very shortly.
Who is Martin Klizan?
The Slovakian World No 5 is a powerful lefthander who was the winner of the boys' singles title at the French Open in 2006. He's never been beyond the fourth round of a Slam although tends to perform better at Roland Garros then anywhere else, having reached the third round here in 2014 and boasting an overall 5-5 win-loss record in Paris.
He warmed up for the tournament by reaching back-to-back quarter-finals in Budapest and Munich, so Murray would be wise not to underestimate him. That calf injury won't help his chances, though.
Wow
On Court Philippe Chatrier, 2015 champ Stan Wawrinka is already 3-0 up against Alexandr Dolgopolov, who you may remember played Murray in the Aussie Open quarters a few years back.
Here they come!
Klizan wearing some very fetching blue and hot pink Sergio Tacchini stash (like what your 'Da used to wear back in the day), Murray in his customary white and black Under Armour kit (like what your 'Da now wears around the house).
They're knocking up!
Which gives you just enough time to watch this...
Klizan had no time for pleasantries after his win against Laurent Lokoli in the first round after the French wildcard accused him of making the most of his calf injury...
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