World No. 2 Andy Murray takes on big-serving Croat Ivo Karlovic in his third-round match at the French Open tonight at the Stade de Roland-Garros. The Scot, who has seen an upswing in his clay court form in recent times, has seriously struggled at Roland-Garros, first going up against Czech doubles specialist Radek Stepanek, who took him to five sets.
Murray was down two sets in that match, which was halted due to bad light at a point when Murray had only just regained his momentum. Although the Scot eventually won with from two sets down with a 3-6, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 scoreline, it was not the easy victory he had been expected to take.
Following that, he was again taken to five sets by French journeyman and Challenger player Mathias Bourgue, who is at 164 on the ATP rankings.
After taking a quick first set victory against the young French player, Murray quickly dropped two sets before having to claw back for his win.
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Andy Murray beats Ivo Karlovic 6-4, 6-1, 7-6(3)!
The first two sets went Murray’s way quite easily. Unfortunately for him, the third was a tense, close affair, one that Karlovic fought back to take to a tiebreak and hopefully a deciding set. In the end, tense stuff from both players as the tournament’s oldest player showed he had plenty of fight still left in him – and pushed his skill to the end.
Some authoritative tennis from Andy Murray here. After two back-to-back struggles he has decided to take the bull by the horns, and despite Karlovic's strong serve and some precise shotmaking, the Croat is unable to combat a more consistent Murray.
Set 2: Andy Murray wins 6-4
It’s the Scot all the way down! Some stylish strokeplay from a focused Andy Murray sees him blaze through the second set as well. He’s now up 4-3 and rushing the net to combat Karlovic, who has also found some rhythm.
Murray is on a roll! After getting through the first set easily, he breaks Karlovic straightaway for a 1-0 lead!
Set 1: Andy Murray wins 6-1!
An easy one for Andy Murray. With 9 winners in that set to Karlovic’s 8, it’s in the fact that Murray committed only a single unforced error. Karlovic on the other hand...
The Croat committed six – and unable to take Murray to break point, lost the set 6-1. He put in a decent effort with some rallies, though
Game 5 – Andy Murray 5-0 Ivo Karlovic
What a start from Andy Murray – he’s come back and how! And now, as he pummels a drop shot into Murray’s side of the court, Karlovic avoids being bageled, holding his service. Now Murray serves for the set.
Game 4
Karlovic is struggling and Murray is using it! He’s now up two breaks of serve with Karlovic unable to open his account in the first set as yet; there’s a beautiful rally from the Croat, though, and Karlovic pummels a precise forehand winner towards Murray; Murray misses.
Game 3, set 1
After breaking Karlovic in the Croat’s first service game, Murray has capitalized to hold and lead 3-0 in the first set. He’s looking more comfortable than his earlier games, and is also not hampered by the bad weather that plagued him earlier. He’ll be worried about fatigue, though, having played long back-to-back matches over the past three days.
Game 1, set 1
Murray holds his first service game! He leads 1-0 and is almost at break point in the second...but wait, Karlovic has a fight! Now at deuce.
What to expect
Karlovic, at 37 years of age, is the oldest player at the French Open, and his fitness levels are not on par with Murray's. That said, Karlovic’s first victory here - against Albert Montanes – was in straight sets, although he was taken to his limits by Australia's John Thompson.
The Croat is yet to beat Murray in the 6 times the pair have faced off in the past; the two have never faced off on clay, however, so this could get interesting.
