Murray exits French Open in first round to impressive Wawrinka

ByEurosport

Updated 26/05/2024 at 21:28 GMT

Stan Wawrinka beat Andy Murray in straight sets to progress to round two of the French Open. The first two sets were hard-fought affairs, with solitary breaks of serve enough for the Swiss to open up a two-set lead. With the wind taken from Murray’s sails, Wawrinka raced into a four-game lead in the third before seeing it out 6-2. Next up for the Swiss, Cameron Norrie or Pavel Kotov.’Is this a grand slam or an exhibition?’ – Murray wins crucial point after brilliant drop shot

Andy Murray was beaten comfortably 6-4 6-4 6-2 by Stan Wawrinka on what could be his last match at the French Open.

The Brit has struggled to find his best following various injury battles, and after the upcoming Paris Olympic Games and Wimbledon tournaments, speculation is mounting that the Scot will retire, and 2024 was a first appearance for him at Roland-Garros since 2020.

The carrot of an all-British second-round encounter against Cameron Norrie had been dangled in front of Murray by the draw, should he have overcome Wawrinka.

However, the Swiss was on top throughout, sealing the first two sets courtesy of solitary breaks, before racing away with the third set to set up a showdown with either Norrie or Pavel Kotov next.

This was the 24th meeting between these two players that had won three Grand Slam titles each, and a repeat of their first-round encounter from four years ago.

Murray was beaten in straight sets on that occasion, and his start here was far from ideal after the Swiss secured a break in the opening game.

Two opportunities to break back came and went to give Wawrinka a 3-1 lead, before the Scot showed impressive resilience to save three break points himself and take an important hold at 4-3 down.

However, Wawrinka would draw first blood after 53 minutes of play with a powerful serve and volley on his third set point.

The Brit was then a set and a break down at 2-1, as Wawrinka sealed the deal with a cross-court backhand winner.

The Swiss would go onto double his advantage with a hold to 30 and move one set away from the second round by rounding things off with an ace.

Murray was straining every sinew to keep Wawrinka at bay, but a couple of superb backhands secured another break for the Swiss at the start of the third set.

The writing was on the wall when Wawrinka took yet another break when Murray hit a routine forehand into the net, and another straight-sets defeat at Roland-Garros beckoned for the former world No. 1.

Wawrinka threatened to secure a bagel following an emphatic hold to love, but Murray restored an element of respectability to the scoreline with a show of resistance to get on the board at 4-1.

Murray took a hold to 15 which he rounded off with a well-placed forehand at 5-2, but Wawrinka aptly finished the contest with another devastating backhand to take a comprehensive win.

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