Murray through, Lopez out…and is Sharapova ill?
Locker Room
May 25, 2015
Andy Murray sailed through his first round clash against Facundo Arguello, claiming the match 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 without having to show his very best tennis.
Murray, one of the favourites for success in Paris, will be relieved that he didn’t have to expend too much energy, knowing what fearsome challenges may lie ahead further down the line.
PROBLEMS
But others encountered problems as the French Open sprang to life with some strange happenings.
Feliciano Lopez, the 11th seed, crashed out to Teymuraz Gabashvili, the world number 74, who completed his shock win 6-3, 7-6 (11-9), 6-3.
There were health issues and odd shot selections for others, as the crowd were served up an unconventional day of tennis drama.
SPLUTTER
Nick Kyrgios suffered a nose-bleed during his 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Denis Istomin, though there was nothing wrong with the talented young Australian’s game once he had stuffed a few pieces of cotton wool up his nostrils.
Meanwhile Maria Sharapova made a winning start but seemed to cough and splutter her way through a second set that could have gone either way.
DEMANDS
If she is nursing some kind of chest infection, the reigning champion will be concerned about the physical demands of a fortnight on clay.
All we know for sure is that Sharapova defeated Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi 6-2, 6-4 and now plays her compatriot, Vitalia Diatchenko.
UNDERARM
For Agnieszka Radwanska, however, Roland Garros is already over, after the 14th seed was beaten 2-6, 6-3, 1-6 by the impressive German, Annika Beck.
There was nothing very impressive about Virginie Razzano, who resorted to an underarm serve during her 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Paraguayan qualifier Veronica Cepede Royg. The attempted underarm got what it deserved, going wayward to form part a double fault, though mercifully Razzano recovered to win playing proper tennis.
SPOONED
‘I wasn’t feeling that great today. I’m sorry. I spooned the ball over. That’s the baggage I carry,’ she said.
A weird second day at the French Open, where Gael Monfils gave his fans a scare when he dropped a set against his compatriot Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Monfils found a way to win, though, coming out on top 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 7-5. And at this stage of the tournament, finding a way to win is all that matters – whatever obstacles are placed in front of you.