That’s all from me today. Andy Murray has put everyone through the wringer again and now we’re all exhausted. There were also wins for Stan Wawrinka, Nick Kyrgios and Kei Nishikori on the men’s side and for Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova and Garbine Muguruza on the women’s side, while Heather Watson lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova. I’ll be back tomorrow – Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams are in action. Until then, spend the rest of the evening reading Kevin Mitchell’s report on Murray’s win.
The good news for Murray is that he’s got a 6-0 winning record against Ivo Karlovic. They met at Wimbledon last year and Murray won 7-6, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. The bad news is that it’s bound to be an emotionally draining match.
Murray finishes by saying he’s hoping for a quick match in the next round. He’s not aware that he’s facing tie-break obsessive Ivo Karlovic on Friday.
It’s safe to say that Murray has earned a day off tomorrow. He must be exhausted. “He was excellent,” says Murray. “He was the one dictating a lot of the points. He’s going to have a fantastic future. This is the first time we’ve played each other but he was very good. I was thinking what happened? I was up 6-2, 2-0 and he started to play magnificent. I just tried to fight through to the end. It’s been a tough few days and I’m going to have to recover well.”
Mon Dieu.
— judy murray (@judmoo) May 25, 2016
Ou est le vin blanc? 🍸#RolandGarros
Andy Murray beats Mathias Bourgue 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3!
Murray begins with one of his favourites, a backhand lob drifting over Bourgue’s and landing well inside the baseline for 15-0. But Bourgue responds by winning the next point, monstering a backhand down the line for 15-all. It’s his 25th backhand winner. This has been a heroic effort and it might not be over yet. Murray then slashes a defensive slice into the net for 15-30. Are we about to witness something truly incredible. Maybe not. Murray summons all his genius to drop shot and lob for 30-all before earning his first match point with a powerful forehand at the net. Is this it? It’s hit. He hammers a backhand down the line and Bourgue can only swipe into the net. Murray looks at his box and points to his heart. He’s had to show a lot of it in the past three days. After seven hours and five sets, he’s into the third round to face Ivo Karlovic.
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Fifth set: Bourgue* 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 3-5 Murray (*denotes server): A wicked backhand winner on game point from Bourgue and Murray’s going to have to serve for it again. And the volume from the crowd is rising.
Fifth set: Bourgue 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 2-5 Murray* (*denotes server): The first two points are shared, before a dismal attempt at a lob from Murray makes it 15-30. Why do it the easy way? Murray then nets a backhand to hand over two break points. Is there to be another twist? Perhaps. Bourgue gets one break back! Quick, someone get that man a Chomp.
Fifth set: Bourgue 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 1-5 Murray* (*denotes server): Bourgue has eaten a Twix and a Mars Bar and drunk a can of Coke during this match. It’s not quite had the desired effect. Murray breaks again and will serve for a very weird match.
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Fifth set: Bourgue 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 1-4 Murray* (*denotes server): From 40-0 up, Murray threatens to make life difficult for himself, losing the next two points. But a classy drop shot finishes the job.
Fifth set: Bourgue* 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 1-3 Murray (*denotes server): Bourgue nets a forehand, Murray dinks a drop shot and it’s 0-30, cause for alarm for the French fans. The atmosphere is even flatter when Bourgue knocks a backhand long to hand over two break points. And Murray only needs one. A battered backhand kisses the line and a floored Bourgue can only net his riposte.
Fifth set: Bourgue 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 1-2 Murray* (*denotes server): Two scratchy shots from Murray and he’s down 15-30. Yet Bourgue is annoyed with himself after failing to make two returns, an increasingly angry Murray edging into a 40-30 lead. Murray holds when a Bourgue forehand goes wide.
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Fifth set: Bourgue* 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 1-1 Murray (*denotes server): The game goes to deuce, with Bourgue’s energy levels dipping. Bourgue is beginning to up the pace on his serve but that leads to a double-fault, giving Murray a break point. Impressively, though, he saves it with some positive tennis, a smash forcing deuce again, and somehow he holds with a gorgeous drop shot at the net. It’s still on.
Fifth set: Bourgue 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 0-1 Murray* (*denotes server): Did you know that this is the first time Murray’s played consecutive five-set matches in the first two matches of a slam since the US Open in 2005? Back then, he beat Andrei Pavel before losing to Frenchman Arnaud Clement. That defeat to Clement featured a 6-0 collapse in the fifth set. That won’t happen here, at least, because he’s held to love in the first game of the decider.
Andy Murray wins the fourth set 6-2 to level the match!
Bourgue is serving to stay in the set. But Murray quickly races into a 0-30 lead and he has three set points when Bourgue nets a backhand. Is the Frenchman’s inexperience, mentally and physically, beginning to tell? Double-faulting on set point suggests that it is. The applause is muted as the players walk back to their chairs.
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Fourth set: Bourgue 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 2-5 Murray* (*denotes server): That hold seems to have given Bourgue renewed belief; 15-0 becomes 15-30. But Murray then comes out on top in a battle of drop shots at the net. Bourgue tries to lob him but Murray comes up with the overhead backhand for 30-all. That was an escape. From there, Murray holds. He’s a game away from levelling the match.
Fourth set: Bourgue* 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 2-4 Murray (*denotes server): Incidentally Murray hasn’t lost to a player outside the top 100 since losing to Mardy Fish in Miami six years ago. He’s beginning to restore some order. A vicious backhand up the line earns him a break point – but Bourgue clings on to force deuce and holds to stay in the fourth set.
Fourth set: Bourgue 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 1-4 Murray* (*denotes server): Murray consolidates the break, holding to love thanks to a glorious drop shot, and he’s not looking that tired any more. The mind’s a funny thing.
Fourth set: Bourgue* 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 1-3 Murray (*denotes server): The first two points are shared. Is Murray beginning to settle into a nice groove? Moments later, he pummels a backhand into the left corner to earn a break point. It’s his first for a while and it’s his first break since the start of the second set. Bourgue cracks a backhand long and Murray roars.
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Fourth set: Bourgue 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 1-2 Murray* (*denotes server): Murray holds to 15. A funny thought: will Aljaz Bedene be the last Brit standing at the end of the day? Kyle Edmund has just lost 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to John Isner.
Fourth set: Bourgue* 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 1-1 Murray (*denotes server): A highly welcome, icy hold to love for Bourgue puts the pressure straight back on Murray.
Fourth set: Bourgue 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 0-1 Murray* (*denotes server): Andy Murray has changed his hat. He’s changed his shirt. But is that going to be enough to change the flow of this match? It doesn’t look like it at the moment, Bourgue toying with Murray and winning the first two points of this game for a 0-30 lead. Before long, Murray’s facing two break points as Bourgue picks him off at the net with a diagonal backhand winner. But Murray saves them both to earn deuce. Is the fire back? He screams at his box by way of celebration. Yet the Bourgue forehand has become a fearsome weapon. A huge one earns him a third break point. Murray, though, responds with an incredible half-volley down by his feet, the ball landing just inside the line. Eventually Murray holds on. That could be a big game.
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With apologies to other players, this live blog will now entirely focus on the Murray v Bourgue match until its conclusion. Can you blame us?
Mathias Bourgue wins the third set to lead 2-6, 6-2, 6-4!
Nerveless. Bourgue glides into a 40-0 lead, three set points, thanks to two shimmering drop shots. Murray is stunned. We’re all stunned. Don’t pretend you’re not. Move aside, Leicester City, there’s a new show in town. Bourgue can’t take the first set point. But it doesn’t matter. He slams a backhand down the line and roars as the crowd goes wild! Murray is in a world of pain now!
Murray holds his serve to trail 5-4 in the third set. Can Bourgue serve it out? This is the biggest moment of his career.
Nick Kyrgios has beaten Igor Sijsling 6-3 6-2 6-1. He’ll probably face old foe Richard Gasquet in the next round.
Bourgue holds to love for 5-3. He’s bouncing. Murray looks forlorn.
Andy Murray saves two break points to hold. But Bourgue still leads 4-3 in the third set.
As John McEnroe points out on Eurosport, this is Mathias Bourgue’s first ever grand slam. His second ever grand slam match. And he’s beating the world No2.
Poor British tennis! Now Kyle Edmund is down 6-4, 6-4 against John Isner.
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Richard Gasquet is making mincemeat out of Bjorn Fratangelo. The ninth seed takes the first set 6-2 off the American.
“Watching the Murray match, he’s playing so far below par I’m wondering if he’s injured?” says Tony Wawryk. “That tremendous cross-court forehand he played at full stretch in the game when the ball fell out of Bourgue’s pocket – since then he’s been hitting his shots at half-pace – wonder if he pulle/strained a muscle going for that shot?”
Impossible to say but he looked fine in the first set. Tiredness might be playing a part. But a loss of focus isn’t helping either.
Murray looks spent; huge week in Rome and strenuous first round; does he have enough in the tank to pull this out?
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) May 25, 2016
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What’s that little scamp Nick Kyrgios up to? Punched any umpires? Worn headphones throughout his match? Forcibly tattooed his opponent? Nope, nope, nope. It’s all very calm – he leads 6-3, 6-2, 3-0 against Igor Sijsling.
As a French wildcard threatens to humiliate the world No2 on Philippe-Chatrier, one of his top compatriots has made a poor start on Court 1. Gilles Simon, the 16th seed, has lost the first set to Argentina’s Guido “Fawkes” Pella.
Andy Murray has stemmed the bleeding momentarily, holding to trail 2-1 in the third set. Can he get the break back?
Ivo Karlovic wins! He’s beaten Jordan Thompson 6-7, 6-3, 7-6, 6-7, 12-10. Phew. He’s going to need a long lie-down before he faces Andy Murray Mathias Bourgue on Friday.
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Ivo Karlovic breaks! He leads 11-10 and he’ll serve for the match. I would say he’s serving for the right to face Andy Murray in the third round, but, well.
Has Murray stopped the rot at the start of the third set? Nope! He double-faults on break point and that’s seven straight games for Bourgue! There’s a long way to go. But. But. BUT. Suddenly the unthinkable isn’t so unthinkable.
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Karlovic has held for 10-10 in the fifth. Oh my.
On Court 3, Jordan Thompson leads 10-9 in the fifth set against Ivo Karlovic, who’s about to serve.
Mathias Bourgue wins the second set 6-2 to level the match!
Andy Murray nets a limp backhand and a disbelieving cheer goes up around Philippe-Chatrier. Murray was 6-2, 2-0 up but he’s just dropped six straight games against Mathias Bourge, the French wildcard and world No164. What a turnaround. Murray has experienced a total meltdown.
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Every Bourgue shot is a clean winner at the moment! A story is developing on Philippe-Chatrier.
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Murray is scratching his head and puffing out his cheeks. He can’t believe what’s going on. He’s broken to love for a third consecutive game and his unfancied French opponent has a 5-2 lead in the second set. Mathias Bourgue? More like Bjorn Borg.
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While Murray tries to drag himself out of a hole of his own making, his fellow Brit, Kyle Edmund, is hurting against John Isner. The 15th seed takes the first set 6-4.
Murray wanted to get this done quickly. But he’s threatening to make a meal out of this one. He led 6-2, 2-0 not so ago but he’s lost concentration in the past 15 minutes and Mathias Bourgue has broken twice to lead 3-2 in the second set. Murray is directing some puzzled looks at his box. Meanwhile Nick Kyrgios is a set up against Igor Sijsling, taking the first set 6-3.
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Well. Murray loses focus, then he loses his serve. The break is cancelled out. He leads 6-2, 2-1 and they’re back on serve.
An excellent performance from Russia’s world No79, Teymuraz Gabashvili, proves enough to stun the 19th seed, Benoit Paire. Gabashvili dropped the third set but it didn’t matter in the end. He’s won 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. It’s not been a great few minutes for the home fans - Murray has broken against Bourgue to lead 2-0 in the second set.
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Murray has just hit an absolutely absurd crosscourt forehand winner from a defensive position deep behind the baseline. Bourgue’s only response is to complain to the umpire that a ball fell out of his pocket. He protests in vain.
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In Australian news, Jordan Thompson is locked in a fifth set with Ivo Karlovic, who loves a marathon match, while Nick Kyrgios is feeling his way into his match against Igor Sijsling. It’s still on serve on Court 6 but Kyrgios is hungry for a break.
Stan Wawrinka beats Taro Daniel 7-6, 6-3, 6-4!
The Japanese underdog had his chances and almost won the first-set tie-break. But Wawrinka held his nerve better in the biggest moments. The sign of a champion? A backhand winner - it had to be - finishes the job for the Swiss.
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Andy Murray wins the first set 6-2!
Fears that the world No2 would be feeling tired appear to be unfounded.
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On Court 14, Kyle Edmund and John Isner are trading early blows. The young Brit has his work cut out against the big-serving American but he’s capable of causing an upset.
Taro Daniel will be kicking himself. He led by a break in the third set and although he held game points in the eighth game, he’s let Wawrinka back in. The champion breaks back for 4-4 and he’ll back himself to win in three now.
Lucie Safarova, a finalist last year, has dispensed with Viktorija Golubic. The 11th seed wins 6-2, 6-2. Meanwhile Murray has got that break for a 3-1 lead. Bourgue cracked.
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Andy Murray, 2-1 up in the first set, is driving Mathias Bourgue crazy in the third game. The Frenchman is serving and it’s been deuce for a long time. Murray really wants that break.
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Jack Sock had too much for Dustin Brown to handle. The American, seeded 23rd here, sails into the second round with a 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 win.
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Taro Daniel is two sets down against Stan Wawrinka. But he has gone a break up in the third set...
The young German, Alex Zverev, has returned to finish off Pierre-Hugues Herbert. He’s into the second round at last, winning 5-7, 6-2, 7-6, 7-5. It’s his first win at Roland Garros.
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Hello! I’m back. Did you miss me? Oh.
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Jacob Steinberg is back from his brief lunch break for the Murray match. Meanwhile, Safarova has finally closed out the first set against Golubic. Bye!
On Suzanne Lenglen, Wawrinka is now 4-2 up and a set up, while on Court 1, Safarova is still stuck in a deuce battle with Golubic who is not conceding the first set without a fight.
Murray about to come onto court now, he’s currently doing his shoe laces up in the wings. He faces the 22-year-old Mathias Bourgue, the French No164, who looks nervous as he walks out in front of a supportive home crowd. It’s less of a reception that Murray gets, though. When he’s finished tying his laces, he emerges to an almost Wimbledon-esque roar.
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Andy Murray has been talking to Eurosport about the Mauresmo situation. It’s more or less exactly what he said in the press conference yesterday - which you can read all about here.
Lucie Safarvoa isn’t giving Viktorija Golubic much of a sniff on Court 1. However, the 11th seed was just about to win the first set against the world No130 6-2 but has been taken to deuce on her serve at 5-2.
Perhaps Wawrinka’s dander is a little too up, a big old backhand swipe goes right out of the court, over the stand and into the car park. He’s lost the third game of the second set, but remains a break up at 2-1.
Muguruza has beaten Georges on Philippe Chatrier so Andy Murray will be out in 10 minutes or so.
Afternoon all, Garbiñe Muguruza is cruising against Myrtille Georges and is now a set up and 5-0 up. Andy Murray will follow her on court. Wawrinka, meanwhile, has got his dander up on Court Suzanne-Lenglen and has broken Daniel, then beaten him to love to go 2-0 up in the second set.
I’m going to grab some lunch and have over to Tom Bryant for the next 20 minutes or so.
Stan Wawrinka wins the first set 7-6!
First-set tie-break: Daniel 7-8 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka pummels a forehand into the corner, charges to the net and puts a smash away to claim the first set. Daniel is so unlucky. He had two set points, but the champion came up with some of his best tennis to deny him. Daniel didn’t do a lot wrong.
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First-set tie-break: Daniel* 7-8 Wawrinka (*denotes server): But this time Daniel knocks a forehand long and Wawrinka has a set point on his serve!
First-set tie-break: Daniel* 7-7 Wawrinka (*denotes server): A backhand down the line from Daniel saves the set point. This is gripping tennis!
First-set tie-break: Daniel 6-7 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): An ace from Wawrinka earns the champion his first set point.
First-set tie-break: Daniel 6-6 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka saves the second set point with an ace!
First-set tie-break: Daniel* 6-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Daniel is forced to send a backhand long thanks to some huge hitting from Wawrinka!
First-set tie-break: Daniel* 6-4 Wawrinka (*denotes server): A stunning forehand from Daniel earns him two set points! He had to defend well.
First-set tie-break: Daniel 5-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka saves alive with a crashing volley.
First-set tie-break: Daniel 5-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): And now Wawrinka sends a forehand long as Daniel increases the intensity!
First-set tie-break: Daniel* 4-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Wawrinka leaves a Daniel forehand, thinking it was going long - but it was in! What an error of judgement!
First-set tie-break: Daniel* 3-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server): A brilliant backhand down the line from Daniel and there’s still no separating them.
First-set tie-break: Daniel 2-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): More solid serving from Wawrinka.
First-set tie-break: Daniel 2-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka is solid at the net.
First-set tie-break: Daniel* 2-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Daniel clips another ace down the middle.
First-set tie-break: Daniel* 1-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Wawrinka slashes a forehand return badly wide.
First-set tie-break: Daniel 0-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Daniel nets a backhand return.
Bang! Daniel rattles an ace down the middle to earn a tie-break.
Taro Daniel has to hold to force a tie-break. Wawrinka is knuckling down on serve. Meanwhile Garbine Muguruza has swept to the opening set, 6-2, against Myrtille Georges.
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Benoit Paire, the 19th seed, has got himself into a sticky situation. The Frenchman has lost the first set 6-3 against Teymuraz Gabashvili.
Taro Daniel is giving this a bloody good go at the moment. Having saved five break points in his first two service games, he’s had chances to break Wawrinka. He couldn’t quite take them but the defending champion knows that he’ll have to be on form today.
As for Jack Sock, he’s won the first set 6-3 against Dustin Brown and now he’s a set and a break up. The 23rd seed made the fourth round last year. Can he better that this time?
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Kei Nishikori’s serene progress continues. The 5th seed hasn’t dropped a set yet and he’s just wrapped up a neat 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Andrey Kuznetsov, who faded after breaking early in the match.
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A couple of matches have been wrapped up in the past few moments. Fernando Verdasco has breezed past Ivan Dodig, winning 6-2, 6-1, 6-3, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has beaten Cagla Buyukakcay 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
Daniel saves four break points in his first service game and holds for 1-1. But Wawrinka was pushing hard. He’ll be back for more.
It transpires that Taro Daniel is a big Led Zeppelin fan.
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For the Americans out there - the Guardian’s big in that country these days - Jack Sock is slugging it out with Dustin Brown on Court 14. They’re in the sparring stages at the moment. It’s 2-2 in the first set.
It’s looking good for Kei Nishikori, who’s up 6-3, 6-3 against Andrey Kuznetsov. But his fellow Japanese, Taro Daniel, has a job on his hands on Suzanne-Lenglen. Can he defeat the defending champion, Stan Wawrinka? It’s unlikely. Play has just begun in the second match on Philippe-Chatrier.
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No incredible comeback from Zarina Diyas. Simona Halep is safely through, the sixth seed winning 7-6, 6-2.
On Suzanne-Lenglen, meanwhile, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has dealt with a spirited challenge from Hsieh Su-wei. Kvitova is through to the third round, winning 6-4, 6-1. She’ll be joined there soon enough by Simona Halep, barring an incredible comeback from Zarina Diyas. Halep leads 7-6, 4-1.
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Svetlana Kuznetsova beats Heather Watson 6-1, 6-3
A backhand zinger crosscourt brings up two match points for the Russian and another one forces Watson to deflect the ball long and wide. That’s it. Watson’s French Open is over. She’s never been past the second round here and this defeat means that there are no British women left in the tournament. Hmm. Watson won’t be happy with her performance today. She was never in this match, although it must be said that it was an ominously good performance from Kuznetsova. Few players will relish taking on the former champion if she maintains this form.
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Opportunities come, opportunities go. Watson has two break points. She can’t take either and Kuznetsova, given a time violation at one point by umpire Carlos Ramos, holds to lead 6-1, 5-2.
The end is nigh for Heather Watson. Clenching her first triumphantly, Svetlana Kuznetsova isn’t looking vulnerable now as she clobbers a backhand down the line to break for a 4-2 lead in the second set.
In other tie-break news, Simona Halep finally has the first set in the bag on Philippe-Chatrier. She was made to work hard for it by Zarina Diyas.
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In an unsurprising development, the first set of Ivo Karlovic’s match went to a tie-break. In a surprising development, he didn’t win it. Australia’s Jordan Thompson leads.
“I cannot make a ball,” cries Watson. There isn’t a happy camper in sight.
At the sixth attempt, Watson has held serve. And for the first time, Kuznetsova is looking oddly vulnerable.
Simona Halep served for the first set against Zarina Diyas. But all’s not well with the Romanian favourite. She was broken to love and now she’s serving to force a tie-break on Philippe-Chatrier. Petra Kvitova, meanwhile, has wobbled and stumbled into the lead, taking the first set 6-4 against Hsieh Su-wei on Suzanne-Lenglen.
Kei Nishikori, meanwhile, is on the charge. He’s recovered from an early break by winning five straight games to take the first set 6-3 against Andrey Kuznetsov. Impressive stuff from the fifth seed.
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Dearie me, Watson still can’t hold serve. Kuznetsova has broken straight back.
Strange. Very strange. The hope for Watson is that however much she’s been pummelled by Kuznetsova, the Russian hasn’t seemed entirely happy out there. For all her first-set excellence, she’s looked pretty agitated and she’ll be even more annoyed after two double-faults allows Watson to break in the first game of the second set. The comeback’s on!
Svetlana Kuznetsova wins the first set 6-1!
Well, that was one-sided and utterly lacking in any drama whatsoever. A flailing, miserable Heather Watson is yet to hold serve and despite dominating the rally when she’s facing set point, an erratic backhand to give up the first set to a rampant Kuznetsova. It will take an astonishing turnaround for Watson to win from here.
Inconsistency abounds so far today – Kei Nishikori has broken back against Andrey Kuznetsov, while Zarina Diyas and Petra Kvitova have let go of early leads against Simona Halep and Hsieh Su-wei respectively. This is all cooking nicely.
Kuznetsova has made, by my count, no more than two or three errors. But when she clips a forehand into the net, the Russian can be heard loudly admonishing herself. She’s been griping and chuntering a fair bit for someone who’s taken such a strong grip on this match.
There goes that silver lining. Kuznetsova dusts herself down and simply responds to Watson’s impertinence by breaking for the third time for a 4-1 lead. This one has the whiff of a foregone conclusion. Watson is being outgunned by an opponent who packs quite the punch.
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It’s still a long way back from here. But Watson will be feeling better about herself after breaking to 15, Kuznetsova clipping the net with a forehand. That’s one back! But the Russian still leads 3-1.
Raise those eyebrows. Zarina Diyas has got her break back against Simona Halep for a 3-1 lead, while Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov is off to a dream start against Kei Nishikori breaking for a 2-1 lead.
Watson is being given the runaround at the moment and this already looks like a hopeless task for the British No2. Kuznetsova is way too strong right now. She’s bullying her around the court, dominating with some hefty groundstrokes off both wings, and a blistering forehand down the line seals a second break and a 3-0 lead for the 13th seed.
Breaks everywhere. Halep is back on level terms with Diyas on Philippe-Chatrier.
There are breaks all over the place. On Philippe-Chatrier, Simona Halep has stumbled against Zarina Diyas early on, while Petra Kvitova has broken to love for a 2-0 lead against Hsieh Su-wei on Suzanne-Lenglen.
Watson’s not made the start she would have been after. She hit one terrific backhand down the line in the first game but she played a couple of tight shots to hand Kuznetsova the early break.
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And ... play! Tennis balls are zinging around everywhere and we’ll be placing most of our focus on Svetlana Kuznetsova against Heather Watson, who’s serving first on Court 2. It feels as though Kuznetsova has been around for ever but she’s only 3o.
Players are trotting out on to courts. The sun is shining in Paris. We’ll have tennis soon!
After a spell out with an ankle injury, Kyle Edmund was in good form in his win over Nikoloz Basilashvili on Monday night. His reward is a daunting match against the big-serving American, John Isner, this afternoon. Can Edmund pull off a shock against the 15th seed?
Preamble
Bonjour! A mixed day for the Brits yesterday. While Aljaz Bedene beat Gerard Melzer fairly comfortably and Andy Murray returned to squeeze past wily old Radek Stepanek, it was farewell to Johanna Konta, who fell below expectations against Julia Goerges, and to Laura Robson, who understandably lacked match sharpness against Andrea Petkovic. They joined Naomi Broady on the scrapheap - and how disappointing for Konta after her Australian Open run - meaning that Heather Watson is the last British woman still standing. But for how long? Today she has a very tricky match against Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2009 champion, with the Russian in decent form, a recent win over Serena Williams a fine way to prepare for Roland Garros.
Watson’s in action soon - and Murray is on third on Philippe-Chatrier this afternoon. After just about emerging unscathed from his epic tussle with Stepanek, fighting back from two sets down to win 7-5 in the fifth, the world No2 will be hoping for an easier ride against the 22-year-old French qualifier, Mathias Bourge. It should be straightforward enough.
That’s our main focus today - but there’s plenty of interest elsewhere as the second round gets underway. With Angelique Kerber and Victoria Azarenka crashing out yesterday, the women’s draw is looking open. Simona Halep, Agnieszka Radwanska, Petra Kvitova and Garbine Muguruza will be looking to capitalise. And in the men’s draw, life is never dull when Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori, Richard Gasquet and Nick Kyrgios are around.
Play begins at: 10am BST.
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