Murray Halted At 7-7, Nadal Injured? Federer v Gulbis, Djokovic v Tsonga Sunday At French Open
- 223 Comments
Andy Murray will have to play an extra day after the Scot and Philipp Kohlschreiber were unable to complete their third round French Open match due to the fading light at the French Open. The two were locked with Murray blowing a 2-1 set 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 7-7.
Murray actually led by a break in the fourth set and again by a break early in the fifth.
Also suspended was the match between Richard Gasquet and Fernando Verdasco with the Spaniard ahead 6-3, 6-2, 2-2.
Both matches were stopped just after 9:30pm. Both will resume on their respective courts “second on” the Sunday schedule.
Earlier, Rafael Nadal revealed that his back troubles from Australia have resurfaced. Nadal still won 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 against Leonardo Mayer who falls to 0-16 against Top 10 players.
“It was a positive [first week],” said Nadal who hasn’t dropped a set. “I have three matches that I think I played under control. That’s always positive and good. Always [being in] the second week is great news, and winning in straight sets is a little bit better. I’m happy for that.”
Next for Nadal is little-known Serb Dusan Lajovic who eliminated American Jack Sock in straight sets.
“It’s my first Roland Garros main draw appearance and first time in the fourth round, so I can’t be more happy than this,” said Lajovic. “Maybe to play Rafa on Chatrier is one of the biggest dreams and biggest challenges. So for sure it’s not gonna be easy.”
The 23-year-old Lajovic quietly hasn’t dropped a set yet in the tournament.
David Ferrer won his seventh straight over Andreas Seppi and Kevin Anderson earned a retirement from Ivo Karlovic who had to stop after losing the first set due to a back injury. They’ll meet on Monday in the fourth round.
In the marquee match, Gael Monfils and Fabio Fognini put on a show of sorts with the Frenchman prevailing in five 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, 0-6, 6-2.
“When I arrived in the fourth, he broke me straight away,” said Monfils who was complaining of dizziness. “I was starting to struggle a little bit, not cramping, but I felt really tired. I think all the fatigue coming up.
“The crowd is always the difference. Today it was again amazing. I think it is never easy to drop a set. Trying to come back for the fifth is never easy, and definitely the crowd helped me a lot.
“For me it’s not about ups and downs. It’s more about saving my ass every day! To be honest, I just came here without preparation. So, I’m surviving.”
The acrobatic Frenchman now meets a fellow five set winner Guillermo Garcia-Lopez who ousted Donald Young in a tight decider.
The already-ravaged women’s draw was dealt another upset today as former champion Ana Ivanovic was dumped by Lucie Safarova 6-3, 6-3. It was the Czech’s five straight win over Ivanovic.
“I went out like this that I won the last four [but it is] always a tough match with her, she’s a great player,” Safarova said. “I’m very excited about that. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the fourth round here. I think I was playing very solid today, and I was not making a lot of mistakes. I was pressuring Ana into her backhand side and then attacking the forehand side, which was working well. I was serving decent.”
Sloane Stephens, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Simona Halep and Jelena Jankovic were also winners on the day.
In a big line-up tomorrow, Maria Sharapova takes a 13-2 record against Sam Stosur. Roger Federer meets the red-hot Ernests Gulbis who beat the Swiss at Rome in 2010. And in a rematch of their 2012 epic French quarter, Novak Djokovic takes on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Djokovic has won 11 of 16 including seven straight against Tsonga.
SUNDAY FRENCH OPEN SCHEDULE
Court Philippe Chatrier 11:00 AM Start
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN)[18] vs. Angelique Kerber (GER)[8]
Not Before: 12:30 pm
Fernando Verdasco (ESP)[24] vs. Richard Gasquet (FRA)[12]
To Finish 6-3 6-2 2-2 3. Men’s Singles – Round 4
Ernests Gulbis (LAT)[18] vs. Roger Federer (SUI)[4]
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)[13] vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB)[2]
Garbine Muguruza (ESP) vs. Pauline Parmentier (FRA)
Court Suzanne Lenglen 11:00 AM Start
Tomas Berdych (CZE)[6] vs. John Isner (USA)[10]
Not Before: 12:30 pm
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)[28] vs. Andy Murray (GBR)[7]
To Finish 6-3 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-7 3.
Ajla Tomljanovic (CRO) vs. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP)[14]
Milos Raonic (CAN)[8] vs. Marcel Granollers (ESP)
Samantha Stosur (AUS)[19] vs. Maria Sharapova (RUS)[7]
You Might Like:
Gulbis Out; Federer, Murray on Monday at French Open
Zverev, Thiem Lead Next Gen Surge at ATP Vienna; Preview
Verdasco, Gulbis Showdown Friday in Barcelona
Ernests Gulbis: “My Long-Term Goal In Tennis Isn’t To Be Top 20, It’s To Be No. 1!”
Murray, Del Potro Advance In Rotterdam, Tsonga Upset; Dimitrov v Gulbis Thursday