Andy Murray v Stan Wawrinka LIVE: French Open first round latest scores and updates
This tie is a repeat of the 2016 and 2017 French Open semi-finals and Murray will hope to finally defeat Wawrinka tonight
Andy Murray‘s potentially final French Open campaign gets underway this evening with a rematch against Stan Wawrinka.
The Scot, who has hinted that he may retire in the summer, is back at Roland Garros for the first time since 2020 and looks to say farewell to a tournament where he was a defeated finalist in 2015.
He faces bad memories in facing Wawrinka who defeated him in the opening round here four years ago while also inflicting painful defeats on Murray in the semi-finals of the 2016 and 2017 editions.
Murray says it will be a “pleasure” to face Wawrinka, a 39-year-old former French Open champion and three-time grand slam winner.
He said: “It’s incredible that he’s still competing at the highest level at 39 years old and it’s great we get the opportunity to play each other again. It’s a good match for both of us. A pleasure to get to play against him in another slam.”
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Andy Murray beaten in straight sets by Stan Wawrinka in first round of French Open
Andy Murray waved goodbye to the big stage at Roland Garros for probably the final time after a first-round defeat to Stan Wawrinka at the French Open.
The former world number one was well beaten 6-4 6-4 6-2 under the lights on Court Philippe Chatrier. It was a familiar feeling for Murray, whose last three matches on the Paris clay have now ended in defeat to his Swiss rival.
The first was the epic semi-final defeat in five brutal sets in 2017, a match which ultimately proved too much for Murray’s hip and almost forced him into retirement.
Andy Murray beaten by Stan Wawrinka in first round of French Open
Despite some limited success Murray could not handle the power of his old rival who took the match 6-6 6-4 6-2
Andy Murray beaten in straight sets 6-4 6-4 6-2 by Stan Wawrinka
Stan Wawrinka speaking to Eurosport: “My first words were respect for a great champion. I have loved watching him [Andy Murray] play, loved fighting against him. We’ve had a lot of fights over the last 15 years. We are not very young so we did all we could and remember all these moments.
“I love to work in front of a crowd like this. I’ve shared a lot of emotion with this crowd and they gave me a lot of energy to fight. In my head I’m still a young guy, still a kid.”
Andy Murray beaten in straight sets 6-4 6-4 6-2 by Stan Wawrinka
Andy Murray beaten in straight sets 6-4 6-4 6-2 by Stan Wawrinka
Wawrinka has only won two matches all year until now. Andy Murray is loudly applauded as he leaves the court but he’ll know he was beaten by the better man tonight.
Is this the last time the crowd will watch him play at Roland Garros? Perhaps it is.
Andy Murray 4-6 4-6 2-6 Stan Wawrinka
It’s not going to happen. An Andy Murray miracle isn’t on the cards with this clinical and powerful Stan Wawrinka performance picking him apart with ease.
Wide serve, backhand follow up. Bread and butter for Wawrinka who leaves himself with two match points.
He only needs one. He forces Murray into the corner then pings yet another backhand down the line to clinch the game, the set and the match!
Andy Murray 4-6 4-6 2-5 Stan Wawrinka*
Murray holds! He gets a bit of his bouncy confidence back and whips a forehand winner past Wawrinka for a second hold of serve in the third set.
The Scot is firmly in the last chance saloon now and must break Wawrinka’s serve.
*Andy Murray 4-6 4-6 1-5 Stan Wawrinka
Murray is winning the battle for aces as he records his fifth of the match to move 30-0 up. A cross court forehand lands right on the sideline and Murray just sighs at how good that shot is.
The Swiss gets a point on the board. 30-15.
*Andy Murray 4-6 4-6 1-5 Stan Wawrinka
Murray may be going down but he’s still punching. Wawrinka has to fight to edge into the lead of his latest service game and a double fault brings Murray up to deuce.
Will the match swing if Murray breaks here?
He’s got given the chance. A strong serve out wide sees Murray push his return out of play before Wawrinka smashes a winner past him in the next rally.
Andy Murray 4-6 4-6 1-4 Stan Wawrinka*
Murray is not a player who gives up but the wind has certainly gone out of his sails. All the tight calls are going against him but he’s plodding on and lands another steller ace.
Wawrinka pings a return of serve over the back and Murray edges ahead 30-15. The crowd are with him and applaud as Wawrinka sends another out of play.
Murray holds and gets his first game of the third set on the board.
*Andy Murray 4-6 4-6 0-4 Stan Wawrinka
Ruthless. Wawrinka serves out wide to both Murray’s forehand and backhand before striding confidently up to the net. He takes the first two points of the game with close volleys before a backhand error from Murray puts the ball into the net.
An ace sows up the game and Wawrinka is one step closer to victory.
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