Andy Murray vs Andrey Kuznetsov as it happened: World No 1 through to second round after battling past Russian
Relive all of the action from Roland Garros
Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing
Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news
Top seed Andy Murray cleared a potentially tricky first round hurdle at the French Open on Tuesday, downing in-form Russian Andrey Kuznetsov 6-4 4-6 6-2 6-0.
After a regulation first set that he won in 45 minutes, the world number one lost his bearings midway through the second, dropping four games in a row to allow his 73rd-ranked opponent to square the match.
The Scot then moved through the gears and breezed the third and fourth sets with the loss of just two games.
Murray will play World No 53 Martin Klizan in the next round.
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.
Andy Murray's projected route to the final
Show all 8What’s the head to head record?
Murray has won both of their previous encounters. The first at the 2014 US Open in four sets, the second in Beijing last season, which Murray won 6-2 6-1.
What have they been saying?
Murray: “The past few months have not been good, obviously. I haven't played well. I had a few issues as well.
“I need to accept that I'm struggling and then find a way to get through it.
“I will get through it - I'm sure of that. When that happens, I don't know. Hopefully it happens in a few days. Hopefully it happens at this event. If it doesn't, maybe it happens during the grass.”
Kuznetsov: “If you maybe see the results he showed on clay, maybe it's not his best as he showed last year.
“A few guys like (Borna) Coric, for example, beat him in Madrid. It shows that it's possible to beat him. Also in the first rounds of the big tournaments, maybe they need some time to find rhythm and so on.
“Of course it will be important to start good. If it goes to a five-setter, there will be a few more chances for him to win because of the physical conditions.
“But if he starts a little bit nervy and shaky, and I start with confidence, maybe I can win one set and take a lead in the second.
“For me it's a good experience to play against a world number one. If I win, I will be a hero. If I lose, nobody will be surprised. [There is] nothing to lose for me.”
What are the odds?
Andy Murray to win: 2/11
Andrey Kuznetsov to win: 24/5
And who will the winner play in the next round?
Either the Czech Republic’s Martin Kližan or French wildcard Laurent Lokoli. Kližan — who reached the third round at Roland-Garros three years ago before losing to Marcel Granollers — is the more likely opponent.
Andy Murray begins his French Open campaign against Russia's Andrey Kuznetsov on Tuesday afternoon.
Join us for live coverage of the match, where Murray will attempt to recover from a run of poor form to progress into the second round.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Andy Murray's first round match at the 2017 French Open.
He plays Andrey Kuznetsov and the pair are currently knocking up on Court Philippe Chatrier, which means there are about five minutes to the start of the match.
Which gives you just about enough time to read this:
In fact, it has been something of a day of shocks on Court Philippe Chatrier as, just a few moments ago, Italian Open champion Alexander Zverev - tipped by many as a dark horse in the men's singles - crashed out to the Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco.
Verdasco beat Zverev 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-2 in the first round after their game had been interrupted at one set all on Monday.
The clay court specialist outmuscled the German when play resumed on Tuesday, with Zverev losing his cool as the match went on, twice pausing to smash his racquet in frustration.
Murray 1-0 Kuznetsov* (*Denotes next server)
Not the best of starts for Murray. Kuznetsov batters back his fairly tame second serve, and Murray can only dump his backhand into the net. He slams the ball into the net during the next point, too, and then hits long from beyond the baseline to hand Kuznetsov three break points.
A big backhand down the line gets the World No 1 on the board. And then a thumping ace, which sends his Russian opponent sprawling. One unreturnable serve later - which Kuznetsov shanks into the front row of the crowd - and we're at deuce. Murray clearly content on doing this the hard way...
Murray wins the next two points with a sublime little drop shot, followed up by another big ace. Phew.
Murray* 1-1 Kuznetsov
Kuznetsov has a thumping cross-court forehand, and it gets him to a 30-15 lead in his first service game, with the Russian winning two points either side of an unforced error. He wins the next point and attacks the net at 40-15, looking to finish things off ... and Murray's ambitious lob shot is just a couple of inches too long.
Murray 2-1 Kuznetsov*
Murray's second serve is holding up well so far, which is a good sign. Kuznetsov has once, twice, three times battered it back beyond the baseline. The Russian offers a little more resistance on the next point, but eventually hits a cross-court backhand wide, and Murray holds to love.
Murray* 2-2 Kuznetsov
For a man who has been talking the talk during the build-up to this first round match, Kuznetsov has started a little tamely, and the first double fault of the match sees him drop to 15-30. On the next point Murray seems in control of the rally until Kuznetsov subtly changes the pace of his backhand slice. Murray fails to read it and batters his return long.
An unforced error apiece and we're at deuce. Another one of Kuznetsov's big crosscourt backhands gets him to advantage, and a crunching forehand down the line wins him the game. We're still on serve.
Murray 3-2 Kuznetsov*
At 15-all, Murray takes umbrage to his second serve being called out. He signals for the chair umpire to intervene, and the ball was indeed in. Another chance for Murray to get this right, and he serves wide, pushing Kuznetsov to his left before finishing him off with a superb drop shot. He wins the game when Kuznetsov plants a powerful first serve directly into the middle of the net.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies