Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka first met on court docket as two hopeful children determined to determine themselves of their sport, nonetheless not sure of what was to come back. Nineteen years and a mixed six grand slam titles later, they convened once more on Courtroom Philippe-Chatrier as icons within the ultimate stretches of their careers.
Now aged 37 and 39 respectively, their twenty third contest marked the second-oldest matchup at Roland Garros up to now 50 years. This time, Wawrinka’s disciplined, harmful ball placing guided him to a deserved victory as he utterly overpowered an impotent Murray, brushing his outdated rival apart 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to succeed in the second spherical at Roland Garros.
“I want I might have achieved slightly bit higher,” mentioned Murray. “Disillusioned, however I didn’t have extraordinarily excessive expectations with the best way, you already know, the preparation had been coming in. However clearly I’d have favored to have achieved higher tonight.”
Whereas Murray’s struggles have been properly documented, issues have been even harder for Wawrinka this 12 months, who arrived in Paris with two ATP wins in 2024. On the web site of considered one of his biggest triumphs, although, the Swiss struck the ball with complete freedom. He was decided to drive himself on the entrance foot, to open up the court docket and assault. Wawrinka additionally served properly within the decisive moments and he stored his unforced error depend beneath management.
As has been the case for a lot of this 12 months, Murray was too underpowered within the face of such heavy, attacking ball placing and his diminished motion is obvious. He additionally returned poorly, significantly within the decisive moments late in each of the primary two units.
On the finish of one other assembly – maybe for the ultimate time – the 2 champions shared a protracted, heat hug earlier than talking at size. “It was emotional, for certain,” mentioned Wawrinka. “We’re getting nearer to the top, and we performed so many occasions over the past 20 years. Plenty of emotion.”
For Murray, who has indicated that he’s unlikely to compete after this summer season, the defeat seemingly signified the closing of a chapter, his ultimate singles match on the French Open. Regardless of his apparent frustration, Murray stopped by the court docket entrance and saluted all corners of the gang.
Since his return from an ankle harm, Murray has misplaced three of his 4 matches of the clay court docket season. He’ll now head to the grass court docket season trying to find higher type on his favorite floor earlier than time runs out.
“My physique isn’t what it was, 10 years in the past,” mentioned Murray. “I’m totally conscious of that. It takes quite a lot of effort and time to get it able to go on the market and compete. It’s not at all times excellent. However it’s what it’s and I nonetheless get pleasure from giving a go and attempting to get myself on the market and be as aggressive as doable.”
Earlier on Sunday, Jack Draper suffered a crushing loss within the opening spherical, dropping 7-5, 6-4, 6-7(3), 3-6, 6-3 to Jesper de Jong of the Netherlands within the longest match of his profession.
After trailing by two units and a break, Draper fought again to drive a fifth set in a match delayed by rain, however his tense, cautious play within the decisive moments contrasted with De Jong’s decisiveness.
After 4 hours and 6 minutes on court docket, the world No 176 closed Draper out to succeed in the second spherical.
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“I’ve been attempting to do various things in follow, like I’m attempting to vary my recreation slightly bit,” Draper mentioned. “So I really feel particularly on the match court docket in the intervening time like quite a lot of issues are a bit, you already know, totally different for me, particularly in high-pressure conditions and stuff. I’m attempting to view tennis otherwise, and I’m so not used to enjoying and doing sure issues on the court docket, and I’m attempting to do them, and that’s uncomfortable for me.”
Amélie Mauresmo, the match director, has mentioned Alexander Zverev could be allowed to compete at Roland Garros so long as there was no choice in his public trial. Zverev’s trial for allegedly bodily abusing his former associate Brenda Patea begins on Friday in Berlin in the course of the match. Zverev has at all times denied the costs.
“To this point, our coverage is that, so long as the trial isn’t completed and there isn’t a choice, he’s thought of harmless and in order that’s why he’s allowed to be a part of the draw,” mentioned Mauresmo.
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Mauresmo additionally revealed that Roland Garros had deliberate a farewell ceremony for Rafael Nadal, however the 14-time champion had mentioned he didn’t need one together with his future nonetheless unclear.
“As you’ll be able to think about, we had one thing deliberate for him, however he instructed us really earlier than yesterday – that as a result of he doesn’t know if it’s going to be his final Roland Garros or not,” mentioned Mauresmo. “He needs to depart the door open for him possibly to come back again subsequent 12 months as a participant. So we’re not going to push him to do something.”
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