Kyle Edmund has beaten Gastao Elias 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 to reach the second round, making it a decent day for Great Britain. Edmund will face Renzo Olivo or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga next. But that’s all from me today. Here’s a quick report on Andy Murray’s win over Andrey Kuznetsov. Thanks for reading. I’ll be back tomorrow with more coverage. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Petra Kvitova and Garbine Muguruza are all in action. That would be a good mixed doubles combo.
Here’s Kevin Mitchell’s report from Johanna Konta’s defeat to Hsieh Su-wei earlier.
Andy Murray’s opponent in the second round will be Martin Klizan, who he beat on their only meeting in Vienna last year. The Slovakian had an eventful day. The moral of the story? Don’t mock a double-fault by your opponent.
One of the great non-handshakes between Klizan and Lokoli 😂 #RG17 pic.twitter.com/nihRTAGjEF
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) May 30, 2017
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Also into the second round: Gael Monfils. In a maverick match-up, the 15th seed’s thumped Dustin Brown 6-4, 7-5, 6-0.
Andy Murray speaks. “He goes for his shots and plays aggressive. He hits the ball flat, so he takes your time away. But it was quite windy today. I started to feel better as the match wore on. Last year was a great year for me, it was the best I’d ever played here after 10 years. Also last year during Bercy was when I reached No1 for the first time, so I have very good memories from Paris.”
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Andy Murray beats Andrey Kuznetsov 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0!
Kunetsov is serving to stay in the match and he pulls a backhand wide to make it deuce. Murray’s two points away from victory. Make that one. He earns a match point and greedily devours it, punching a forehand winner down the line. He pumps his fist in the air. After his recent turmoil, this win will mean so much to the world No1, who found his game after an unconvincing start.
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Fourth set: Murray* 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 5-0 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): Murray holds to 15 to move a game away from victory. Kuznetsov has checked out. He played well for two sets.
Fourth set: Murray 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 4-0 Kuznetsov* (*denotes server): Another break for Murray. He drop shots to the forehand and Kuznetsov, increasingly weary, nets. He’s faded badly.
Fourth set: Murray* 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 3-0 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): Murray’s found some consistency here, moving into a 40-15 lead, holding when Kuznetsov knocks a return wide. On Court 14, Kyle Edmund is two sets up against Gastao Elias.
Fourth set: Murray 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 2-0 Kuznetsov* (*denotes server): Murray’s on the prowl now, earning three break points with precision tennis. This is more like it from the world No1, who breaks when Kuznetsov clobbers a backhand long.
Fourth set: Murray* 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): “It’s more than running side to side,” Murray yelps. “It’s more than running side to side, mate.” He’s talking to himself here, annoyed after squandering a 40-15 lead and letting the game go to deuce. Kuznetsov, though, has played a couple of fearsome points. It’s not all down to Murray’s apparent lack of movement. Murray does start running, though, and outlasts Kuznetsov from the baseline to hold.
Andy Murray wins the third set 6-2; he leads 6-4, 4-6, 6-2!
Murray’s all over the Kuznetsov serve at the moment, a strong return earning him a set point. Kuznetsov tries to attack the net, but Murray befuddles him with a low passing backhand and Kuznetsov can only drop a desperate volley wide. Crisis over? Not quite, but this has been a decent response from Murray.
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Third set: Murray* 6-4, 4-6, 5-2 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): Over on Court 14, Kyle Edmund has broken in the second set. He leads by a set and a break. On Philippe-Chatrier, Murray appears to have calmed things down. Another solid hold moves him closer to taking the third set.
Third set: Murray 6-4, 4-6, 4-2 Kuznetsov* (*denotes server): Facing a break point, Kuznetsov jams Murray with a body serve and moves forward to take control with a snorting forehand. Deuce. Then comes an ace. Then a wide Murray backhand. Kuznetsov holds.
Third set: Murray* 6-4, 4-6, 4-1 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): Another British hope, Kyle Edmund, has taken the first set 6-3 against Portugal’s Gastao Elias on Court 14. As for Murray, he holds to 30 when he threads a backhand down the line past the approaching Kuznetsov, who had seemed to hold the upper hand in the rally. That’s Murray for you.
Third set: Murray 6-4, 4-6, 3-1 Kuznetsov* (*denotes server): Kuznetsov holds to 15 with a smash. Meanwhile Thanasi Kokkinakis’s brave effort wasn’t enough to keep Kei Nishikori at bay. The young Australian’s lost in four sets to the eighth seed.
Third set: Murray* 6-4, 4-6, 3-0 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): At 15-0, Murray doesn’t quite do enough with a volley that he should put away, but he makes sure with a leaping overhead backhand. He holds to love. In his box, Jamie Delgado is applauding in a bid to keep the fire burning.
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Third set: Murray 6-4, 4-6, 2-0 Kuznetsov* (*denotes server): Murray, trying to find some intensity, hurtles round the court in vintage fashion, racing back to reach a lob and hook a ball back into play. That’s enough to force Kuznetsov, driven to distraction, to net a smash! There’s the hard work for which Murray’s famed and soon he has two break points after a Kuznetsov forehand flies long. He’s pumping his fist now - and Kuznetsov double-faults! It wasn’t brilliant quality from Murray, but it was excellent hustle from the world No1. It all starts with putting in the yards.
Third set: Murray* 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): Murray was flat even while winning the first set. There’s very little fire in his game at the moment. It’s troubling to see. Still, he recovers from 15-30 here to hold in the opening game of this set. “A real danger now that Murray might not make the second round, let alone the second week ...?” says Simon McMahon.
Playing like this, it’s difficult to see him getting past Juan Martin del Potro, say, in round three. Martin Klizan, his potential second-round opponent, might also fancy his chances of an upset. He’s got a nasty draw, Berdych in the fourth, Nishikori in the quarters and Wawrinka in the semis.
Andrey Kuznetsov wins the second set 6-4 to level the match!
Is Kuznetsov beginning to feel the heat? Serving for the set for a second time, he quickly finds himself down 0-15. It’s 0-30 when he slashes a backhand into the net. He looks troubled. Once he’s under pressure, though, his level rises. Two excellent serves allow him to clamber to 30-all and supreme hitting, culminating with a wondrous forehand down the line, earns him his first set point. He clumps another one down the line to level the match! That was an awful set from Murray, further evidence that all is not well with the world No1.
Second set: Murray* 6-4, 4-5 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): Murray holds to 15. Over to you, Andrey.
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Second set: Murray 6-4, 3-5 Kuznetsov* (*denotes server): Serving for the set, Kuznetsov wobbles, allowing Murray to seize a 0-30 lead. That’s the cue for the sun to creep out from behind the clouds and for Murray to earn two break points with a vicious backhand return from left to right. He gobbles up the first to cancel out one break. There’s hope yet.
Second set: Murray* 6-4, 2-5 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): Murray’s game is totally deserting him here. He wallops a forehand into the net to make it 0-30. He steadies himself, though, and wins the next two points with a cracking serve and a forehand winner for 30-all. But a monstrous forehand into the corner from Kuznetsov sets him up for a smash that brings up a break point. Murray stares at his box. Ivan Lendl looks on stony-faced. Kuznetsov promptly cracks a backhand down the line to break again. He’ll serve for the second set! This is going downhill with alarming rapidity for Murray.
Second set: Murray 6-4, 2-4 Kuznetsov* (*denotes server): Murray appeared to be sarcastically applauding his box at the end of the previous game, which isn’t the most encouraging of signs. Kuznetsov finally consolidates a break, holding to 30. Murray’s in a spot of bother here. He looks unfocused and ragged.
Second set: Murray* 6-4, 2-3 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): Murray tries another lob, but this one hasn’t got the height. Kuznetsov smashes for 0-15. At 30-all, his first double-fault hands Kuznetsov a break point. This isn’t convincing from Murray. He isn’t looking like a potential champion at all. He attempts to save the break point with a drop shot, but Kuznetsov reads his intentions and beats him at his own game.
Second set: Murray 6-4, 2-2 Kuznetsov* (*denotes server): Murray’s chuntering after Kuznetsov reaches a forehand volley before whipping a forehand past him for 15-0. He thought he had that one in the bag. But no. Winning that opening point seems to give Kuznetsov the platform he needs for a smooth hold. Murray has other ideas. He wins the next two points, then produces one his sumptuous lobs for deuce, but Kuznetsov holds firm.
Second set: Murray* 6-4, 2-1 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): Murray appears to be knuckling down at 30-0, only for Kuznetsov to hit back, forcing his way back to 30-all with some fine tennis. Murray responds with a strong serve for 40-30 before holding with some drop shot shenanigans.
Second set: Murray 6-4, 1-1 Kuznetsov* (*denotes server): This is not a good match. Having broken, Kuznetsov makes three rancid errors to hand Murray break points. Then he nets a backhand. Murray breaks straight back.
Second set: Murray* 6-4, 0-1 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): Murray would love a strong start to this set, but he’s being pushed by a stubborn Kuznetsov, who takes the game to deuce before earning a break point with a fine, commanding forehand down the line. Murray applauds. Then he watches helplessly as a huge Kuznetsov forehand swoops away to his right, the ball catching the line. Murray applauds again. Inside, you can bet he’s fuming. He’s having a discussion with the umpire about something.
Andy Murray wins the first set 6-4!
Kuznetsov still has to hold to stay in the set and he loses the first point of this game, a Murray forehand skipping off the line and past the rushed Russian, who’s annoyed with himself after missing another forehand to make it 0-30. A double-fault hands Murray three set points. Murray trades blows with Kuznetsov, then surprises him with a devilish low backhand slice that forces the Russian to net a backhand slice of his own. After that wobble when he served for it, a very grateful Murray has the first set in the bag.
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First set: Murray* 5-4 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): Kuznetsov flashes a forehand down the line to make it 0-15. He can’t push on, though, flapping a drop shot into the net after a 17-shot rally, but he makes it 15-30, wrongfooting Murray with a forehand. Soon he has two break points. Murray spoons a forehand long. His level’s dipped. Another poor shot is a gift for Kuznetsov, who breaks back against all expectations! A worrying sign for Murray indeed.
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First set: Murray 5-3 Kuznetsov* (*denotes server): Serving to stay in the set, Kuznetsov starts with another poor forehand. The game goes to 30-all, but Kuznetsov holds to 30. Murray will serve for the set.
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First set: Murray* 5-2 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): Looking to consolidate the break, Murray holds to love. “Come on,” he cries. This is going to plan now. It’s all rather comfortable for the world No1 now, a state of affairs he’s perfectly happy with at the moment and wouldn’t like to change.
First set: Murray 4-2 Kuznetsov* (*denotes server): Kuznetsov looks in control at 30-0, only to play three scratchy shots, handing Murray his first break points. Another one gifts Murray the first break. He didn’t have to do a lot.
First set: Murray* 3-2 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): Looking at Murray’s record at the end of 2016, it really was staggering what he achieved, closing out the year with 24 consecutive wins to take the No1 spot off Djokovic. When a player can do that, it only makes it more of a surprise when they subsequently endure the torment Murray’s going through now. Equally, though, it will tell him that he doesn’t have to panic yet. He is the world No1 for a reason.
First set: Murray 2-2 Kuznetsov* (*denotes server): Murray’s frustrated after a lengthy rally ends with him dropping a backhand long at 15-30. Kuznetsov makes the most of that error by flashing a backhand down the line to lead 40-30 and he holds despite the game going to deuce. You can feel Murray’s tension during these opening exchanges.
First set: Murray* 2-1 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): After a rocky opening service game, this one’s simpler for Murray, who holds to love.
First set: Murray 1-1 Kuznetsov* (*denotes server): The first two points are shared, before Kuznetsov makes off with the next two for a 40-15 lead. Murray tries a trademark lob, but it lands long and Kuznetsov holds.
First set: Murray* 1-0 Kuznetsov (*denotes server): It’s Andy Murray, in a dark blue t-shirt and black shorts, to start the serving. He begins it by losing the first two points with unforced errors. Then comes a wayward backhand, handing Kuznetsov three early break points. Murray saves the first with a backhand down the line, then gobbles up the next two to force deuce. A canny drop shot gives Murray the advantage and he settles his nerves by holding, presumably to his considerable relief.
Tok! Tok! Tok! They’re knocking up on Philippe-Chatrier. This is a bigger match than usual for Andy Murray, who’s really found it hard to rise to his No1 ranking this year. Beaten by Mischa Zverev in Melbourne, he’s since suffered with motivation, fitness, form and illness, suffering defeats to players he’d normally chew up and spit out with ease, and he badly needs a decent run here to start building confidence and momentum. Last year’s beaten finalist won’t want to head to the grass on the back of an early exit. Thing is, though, his form on clay has not been great this year and he has a hard route to the final. At least he’s got a 2-0 record against Kuznetsov, the world No73.
Honesty is the best policy.
Q. "What made the difference today?"
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) May 30, 2017
ALEXANDER ZVEREV: "I played absolute shit. Made the difference. Quite simple." #RG17
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We’re going to switch this blog into game-by-game coverage of Andy Murray’s match against Andrey Kuznetsov now. The players have just walked out on court. Murray coughs as he emerges. Doctor!
Fernando Verdasco beats Alex Zverev 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2!
At 15-all, a dismal drop shot from Zverev allows Verdasco to punch a backhand down the line. Then he covers his face with his hands, a picture of pure anguish after netting a volley. Verdasco has two match points! Two points to defeat the next big thing in men’s tennis. They trade a few shots from the back of the court, but not for long. Zverev’s had enough. He nets a forehand and that’s enough for Verdasco, at the age of 33, to knock out the ninth seed, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. It’s the first major shock in the men’s draw and such a disappointment for everyone who was so excited about Zverev’s chances after his win over Djokovic in Rome. He hasn’t dealt with the pressure today. The 20-year-old wipes his face with his towel as he trudges off court, then chucks it into the crowd.
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Fernando Verdasco can be such an awkward opponent on his day. Unfortunately for Alex Zverev, he’s proving to be an awkward opponent over the course of two days. That’s unusual consistency from Verdasco, who can smell the second round now, a game away from knocking out the young ninth seed. He leads 5-2 in the fourth and Zverev, the Rome champion, is serving to stay alive.
Zverev remembers not to smash his racquet again - it would have been a point penalty - but there’s nothing he could do to stop Verdasco from polishing off another hold. The Spaniard’s up 4-1 in the fourth and he’s looking commanding. On Court 1, meanwhile, Thanasi Kokkinakis has found the composure to serve out the first set 6-4 against the eighth seed, Kei Nishikori. This would be a huge win for Kokkinakis, who’s had such a wretched time with injuries recently.
Alex Zverev manages to hold, but only after saving a break point. That could be a pivotal moment. He trails 3-1 instead of 4-0 in the fourth set. He’s still got a mountain to climb, though.
“Is the nation suffering a crisis of confidence on the international stage?” wonders Andre Benton. “Yesterday’s capitulation in the cricket, Konta’s flop and what will surely be Murray’s early departure, Jensen Button pootling round Monaco at the back of the pack, it’s all got could do better written all over it, hasn’t it? Maybe it’ll be better on home turf. At least at Wimbledon there won’t be space for sartorial disasters like Konta’s outfit.”
We are strong and stable, Andrew.
Stan Wawrinka has also reached the second round, easily defeating Jozef Kozalik in three straightforward sets. That’s a lighter workout for Wawrinka than last year’s first-round tester, when Lukas Rosol pushed him to five sets.
That’s a mightily impressive win for Hyeon Chung. Unseeded he might be, but that’s not stopped the 21-year-old from toppling the big-serving American, Sam Querrey, to the tune of 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. He might have wobbled after losing the second set; instead he stayed calm to run away with the match and secure his spot in round two. Well played. Querrey, remember, beat Djokovic at Wimbledon last year.
Hyeon Chung is a game away from sending Sam Querrey on his way. The young Korean’s 5-3 up in the fourth. But another youngster’s in big trouble. Alex Zverev’s just sent his racquet flying after another erratic error sees Fernando Verdasco break for a 2-0 lead in the fourth set on Philippe-Chatrier. The racquet’s broken and Zverev, who’s in danger of fading away here, has been given a warning by the umpire.
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Thanks to Les for taking over while I munched on some pasta (it was very nice, thanks for asking). That was a show of inexperience from Zverev at the end of the third set. I fancy him to take that match in to a fifth, though.
As Zverev serves to stay in the set, patchy play and poor shot selection leave the German on the brink at 15-40. He outrallies Verdasco to claw back the first set point, but drives long on the second to hand the Spaniard a two sets to one lead. Zverev really fell away at the business end of that set, and it’ll be fascinating to see how the match develops from here. Right, that’s enough from me. I’m going to hand you back to Jacob Steinberg.
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Thanasi Kokkinakis has secured an early break against eighth seed Kei Nishikori. The fiery Aussie leads 3-2 in the opening set.
Having lost three games in succession from 3-1, Zverev completes a tidy hold for 4-4. The next game promises to be crucial for Verdasco. But on the opening point he makes a glaring error at the net to afford Zverev further encouragement. A seesaw passage of play follows, with both players mixing pounding groundstrokes with some unsightly unforced errors. But the younger man is still going for too much at the wrong times, and it costs him. A couple of missed forehands from deuce enable Verdasco to complete the hold, and Zverev will have to serve to stay in the set.
Back on Philippe-Chatrier, Verdasco has broken back for 3-3. As the clock passes the two-hour mark there’s some brutal hitting from both men, but it’s Zverev who looks the edgier. His forehand is simply enormous, as he demonstrates at 40-15 on the Verdasco serve with an absolute piledriver down the line. But the young German is trying to muscle the ball at times, and the tension in his shoulders is clearly visible. Unperturbed by Zverev’s power play, Verdasco hammers down a big serve to move ahead 4-3. It was always likely to be an intriguing match, this one, and it’s certainly living up to expectations.
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Madison Keys, the 12th seed, is on the verge of victory against sometime cricketer Ashleigh Barty. She’s leading the Australian 6-3, 5-2 out on Court 2.
While Zverev was labouring away on serve, Wawrinka has been fighting a desperate rearguard action against the plucky Jozef Kovalik. He was staring down the barrel at 6-3 down in the tiebreak, but steadied the ship with some solid play to stave off the three set points. A well-constructed point earned him a mini-break at 6-6, and the Swiss saw out the set at the first time of asking with a deep first serve. Magnus Norman, Wawrinka’s coach, looks on approvingly at courtside.
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Meanwhile, Zverev is embroiled in a rare old tussle on his serve as he seeks to consolidate that early break against Verdasco. His play veers from the brilliant to the woeful and back again, until some big serving comes to his rescue. The young German holds for 3-1.
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The first four points of the tiebreak between Kovalik and Wawrinka go against serve, until the lower-ranked man slides in to punch away a backhand volley and stop the rot. Stan replies with a big serve for 3-3. It’s in the balance as they change ends.
As Kovalik nets a backhand in somewhat desultory fashion, Wawrinka holds serve to take their match into a second-set tiebreak.
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A slow start yesterday proved costly for Alexander Zverev, who struggled to find any rhythm or fluency as he dropped the opening set against Fernando Verdasco. The Rome champion looks to be in better shape today. He’s moving well, maintaining a good length and really pummelling his forehand. All of which has just earned him an early break of the Verdasco serve. He leads 2-1 in the third.
Afternoon all, Les Roopanarine here. As Zverev and Verdasco resume their match on Chatrier, there’s an intriguing contest developing between Stan Wawrinka and Slovakia’s Jozef Kovalik over on Suzanne-Lenglen. Wawrinka, you’ll remember, won the opening set with something to spare. But Kovalik, ranked 152 and making his Roland Garros debut, is starting to find his feet. He’s matching the former champion shot for shot from the back, and there’s real verve – and no little belief – about his play just now. Kovalik has just held for 5-4, and they’re on serve. We’ll see how that one develops.
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Time for me to grab some lunch. Les Roopanarine will step into the breach.
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Fernando Verdasco and Alex Zverev are back out on Philippe-Chatrier to resume their match, which was suspended because of bad light last night. Verdasco, always a pesky opponent, won the first set before Zverev took the second. It’s all to play for at the start of the third! Zverev, the ninth seed, is likely to have his work cut out against the dangerous Spanish floater.
Stan Wawrinka raced away with the opening set on Suzanne-Lenglen, breaking Jozef Kovalik twice on his way to taking it 6-2. The third seed and 2015 champion is in firm control.
Never comfortable on clay, Jo Konta must have thought she was heading for her first ever main-draw win at Roland Garros after winning the first set 6-3. Alas. Hsieh fought back with great spirit and skill, using her skill, craft and variety to unsettle Konta, who was unable to keep a lid on her emotions as the match wore on. Her frustration seeped into her game and Konta, far too sloppy, has wasted a big opportunity after being handed a presentable draw. Her thoughts turn to Wimbledon and the grass, but she might not find it easy to shake off this defeat. As for Hsieh, she’s through to face Taylor Townsend.
A beaming, chuckling Hsieh is asked for a couple of words in French. “Bonjour, everyone!”
Hsieh Su-wei beats Johanna Konta 1-6, 7-6, 6-4!
The sun breaks out over Roland Garros as Hsieh prepares to serve for the match on Philippe-Chatrier. She begins nervily, netting a backhand, but Konta lets her off the hook with an errant backhand of her own for 15-all. Konta plays the next one expertly, though, patiently waiting for space to open up before pinging a forehand down the line for 15-30. Hsieh is feeling the heat. Another error hands Konta two break points. But a bold second serve draws a long forehand return from Konta, who’s helpless when Hsieh saves the second with a gorgeous drop shot for deuce. This is so tense now. Another miss from Hsieh offers Konta a third opportunity, but she drags a forehand wide! Konta carves out a fourth break point, but an attempted drop shot clips the top of the net and lands on her side! So close. But so far. Soon Hsieh has her first match point, volleying superbly. Is this this the moment for the world No109? Nope! She sends a backhand down the line wide. Maybe this time, though. Konta stretches into a backhand return and knocks it wide. Her resistance is crumbling. Hsieh serves down the middle and Konta slaps a forehand into the net! Oh dear. What a win for Hsieh, but this one will be hard to take for Konta. The British No1 is out and this might go down as the worst defeat of her career.
Jo Konta serves solidly to hold and stay alive. But Hsieh is about to serve for the match at 5-4. The match is on her racquet.
Konta pulls a wild backhand wide and will have to serve to stay in the match. Hsieh, playing superbly, leads 5-3. The British No1 is on the brink of another disappointment at Roland Garros.
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Hyeon Chung, the exciting South Korean prospect, is enjoying life on Court 3. The 21-year-old’s taken the first set 6-4 against the experienced American and 27th seed, Sam Querrey.
Konta’s reprieve didn’t last long. Another poor service game allows Hsieh to break again and push Konta’s head back under water. She leads 4-3 in the decider. On Court 1, Timea Babos has won a tie-break against Alize Cornet to take their match into a third set.
Denis Istomin, conqueror of Novak Djokovic in Melbourne, is through to the second round. The man from Uzbekistan’s seen off the outstandingly named Ernesto Escobedoin straight sets.
But Konta breaks straight back! She’ll be feeling better now, capitalising on edginess from Hsieh.
Konta is casting strained looks at her box now. They can’t help her. The stress is beginning to eat away at her. So many errors are creeping into her game.
Hsieh breaks! Another scratchy game for Konta and she drops her serve for the first time in the match to trail 3-2 in the decider. It’s Hsieh’s to lose now.
A comprehensive win for Juan Martin del Potro, a cruise into the second round for the big Argentinian, who’s beaten Guido Pella 6-2, 6-1, 6-4. Let’s hope he can stay clear of injuries. What a talent. Another dark horse, Nick Kyrgios has also won. He’s dismissed Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 7-6, 6-3. So much for Kyrgios being injured. That’s a very good win.
Stan Wawrinka means business. He’s broken Kovalik already.
Konta is digging in at the start of the decider on Philippe-Chatrier. She still looks a bit flustered, but two consecutive holds will do her confidence the world of good, which is just as well given how many problems she’s being posed by the crafty Hsieh.
Nick Kyrgios is cruising towards victory now. The Aussie’s broken in the third set. He’s two games away from the second round. So too is Juan Martin del Potro, although he’s still on serve with Guido Pella in the third set on Court 6.
While Konta toils, Elina Svitolina has had no trouble at all in seeing off Yaroslava Shvedova on Suzanne-Lenglen. It’s victory in straight sets for the fifth seed, who’s the second favourite behind Simona Halep. Next up on Suzanne-Lenglen, though, is the former men’s champion, Stan Wawrinka, who faces Slovakia’s Jozef Kovalik.
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Jo Konta has disappeared for a comfort break. She needs to regroup quickly.
Nick Kyrgios has also won a second-set tie-break. He leads Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-6 on Court 2.
Hsieh Su-Wei wins the second set 7-6!
Second set tie-break: Konta 2-6 Hsieh* (*denotes server): Konta slaps an angry backhand into the net off a second serve and this one’s going into a decider! Hsieh deserves that. She’s playing very well now, whereas Konta ... isn’t. The seventh seed has been very sloppy.
Second set tie-break: Konta 2-6 Hsieh* (*denotes server): Konta tries a drop shot. Hsieh hurtles forward and prods down the line to earn four set points!
Second set tie-break: Konta* 2-5 Hsieh (*denotes server): After a brilliant baseline rally, Hsieh summons the inspiration to find the line with a crafty backhand down the line!
Second set tie-break: Konta* 2-4 Hsieh (*denotes server): A flicked forehand pass from Hsieh forces a sliding Konta to net a volley.
Second set tie-break: Konta 2-3 Hsieh* (*denotes server): Konta horrendously sends a smash long! She can’t believe what she’s just done. She’s giving it out to her box now. Tense times.
Second set tie-break: Konta 2-2 Hsieh* (*denotes server): A cheeky, swiped, spinning drop shot from Hsieh pulls Konta forward and she finishes her off with a clever lob.
Second set tie-break: Konta* 2-1 Hsieh (*denotes server): A stinging backhand return from Hsieh gets her back in the breaker.
Second set tie-break: Konta* 2-0 Hsieh (*denotes server): Konta does enough with a couple of smashes, despite some stout defending from Hsieh.
Second set tie-break: Konta 1-0 Hsieh* (*denotes server): Konta chips and charges, Hsieh’s lob lands long.
This is damagingly ragged from Konta, who blows a 30-0 lead to suddenly find herself facing a set point. Relief arrives, however, in the form of a ruthless forehand winner for deuce. Konta survives and forces a tie-break. “Come on!” she cries.
What a win for Taylor Townsend. She’s beaten Miyu Kato 6-4, 6-0. Townsend awaits the winner of this match between Konta and Hsieh.
Nice to see @TaylorTownsend continue to quietly, steadily rebuild. First player to win today #RG17
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) May 30, 2017
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At 5-5, Hsieh begins the game with a double-fault, the first of the match, and Konta pounces. Soon she’s clutching three break points. But Hsieh saves all three to force deuce! She’s stubbornly refusing to wilt. Five straight points and she holds to lead 6-5 after that awful start to the game!
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Over on Court 17, 21st seed Carla Suarez-Navarro trailed 4-1 to Greece’s Maria Sakkari. But what a response from the Spaniard! Five straight games has left Sakkari punchdrunk and a set down. Elsewhere the mercurial Ukrainian, Aleksandr Dolgopolov, leads by a set against Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq. In other Argentinian news, Del Potro is a set and a break up against Pella. Del Potro, of course, is a potential third-round opponent for a certain Andy Murray. Assuming ... well, y’know. Let’s not riff on Murray’s pain too much. He is a knight of the realm, after all.
Hsieh recovers from the disappointment of those missed break points to hold easily. Konta will serve to stay in the second set. This is increasingly intriguing. You sense Hsieh fancies her chances now.
Now then. Konta bangs a second serve down the middle, but Hsieh jumps on to it and clips a superb backhand winner away for two break points. Konta saves the first with a powerful cross-court backhand, though, and then Hsieh butchers an easy smash after teeing herself up with a stunning volley into the corner! What a let-off for Konta! She was completely stranded. More fine returning from Hsieh earns her a third opportunity, however, but Konta nails a forehand down the line. But then Konta telegraphs a forehand and it’s read by the scampering Hsieh, whose forehand down the line brings up a fourth chance. This time, though, the net gets in the way. Konta holds on in the end. It’s 4-4. What a scrap that was.
Taylor Townsend, the 21-year-old Chicago native, is playing brilliantly on Court 3. The former Australian Open junior champion leads by a set and a break against Miyu Kato of Japan. Townsend is yet to make the most of her talent. She caused a stir by reaching the third round here in 2014, but the American’s results have been disappointing since then. Over on Court 1, meanwhile France’s Alize Cornet recovered from an early break to take the first set 6-2 against Hungary’s Timea Babos.
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After struggling in the first set on Philippe-Chatrier, Hsieh Su-wei is coping better in the second. They’re still on serve, but she leads 3-2 and Konta needs to be careful.
If you’re a fan of Juan Martin del Potro, and why wouldn’t you be, you’ll rejoice at news of the big Argentinian winning the first set 6-2 on Court 6. Guido Pella has a job on his hands if he’s going to turn that one around.
Elina Svitolina, the fifth seed, was in trouble early on over on Suzanne-Lenglen. She was down a break to Yaroslava Shedova. But she’s recovered well. Two breaks, the second in the 10th game of the set, sees her grab it 6-4. Shvedova, battling gamely, lost her nerve in that last service game. Keep your eye on this one, though. It could yet go the distance.
Ouch. Mona Barthel is having a nightmare on Court 4. Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova has just won the opening set 6-0.
There have been hints of maturity from Nick Kyrgios in 2017, signs that he’s finally warming to the task of maximising his vast potential. And despite injury problems recently, he’s looking fit and strong on Court 2, where he’s just nailed the opening set against Philipp Kohlschreiber. The Australian takes it 6-3.
Jo Konta wins the first set 6-1
Jo Konta speedily carves out three set points on Philippe-Chatrier. Hsieh saves the first with a backhand winner down the line, but solid serving from Konta sees her take the second. That was very impressive from the world No8, who’s a set away from reaching the second round of the French Open for the first time.
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Another break for Jo Konta, who’s in the groove and about to serve for the first set at 5-1. Elsewhere Nick Kyrgios has broken against Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Hsieh is beginning to find her feet on Philippe-Chatrier, finding a beautiful angle with a backhand return to lead 15-30, but Konta responds with three awesome points to lead 4-1. She looks like a natural on clay at the moment.
Juan Martin del Potro, one of those what-if talents, was once two sets up against Roger Federer in a quarter-final here. That was back in 2012. Of course, he didn’t win. In fact, he picked up three games in the final three sets. Still, he’s such a danger and there won’t be many players who’ll relish taking him on. Guido Pella’s finding that out at the moment. Del Potro leads 3-0 in the first set on Court 6.
Hitting firmly and confidently, Jo Konta lands an early break to lead 2-0 on Philippe-Chatrier. Hsieh Su-Wei looked helpless to resist Konta’s power there.
There’s plenty of good early action, especially on the outside courts. On Court 2, Nick Kyrgios is first up against the tricky German, Philipp Kohlschreiber. The Australian, seeded 18th, has won his opening service game. Elsewhere, over on Court 6 it’s the battle of Argentina. Juan Martin del Potro and Guido Pella have stopped talking about their Davis Cup exploits now. Del Potro, free from injury problems for the time being, is seeded 29th. In the women’s draw, meanwhile, the excellent Ukrainian, Elina Svitolina, is up and running against Kazakhstan’s Yaroslava Shvedova.
Rackets are being swished, balls are fizzing back and forth and the courts are filling up. Day three is underway!
Jo Konta’s out on court at sunny Roland Garros. She’s never won a match here before in the main draw. She’ll be devastated if she doesn’t break that record today. Hsieh Su-Wei is the world No109, after all, although their head-to-head is level at 1-1.
Preamble
Hello. In the women’s draw, world No1 Angelique Kerber has already fallen, beaten in two measly sets by Ekaterina Marakova, and there’s every chance that the leading men’s is going to join the German on the scrapheap today. Andy Murray, after all, is only the top seed at Roland Garros in name in the opinion of most pundits. It’s been a wretched five months for the knighted world No1, featuring a shock defeat at the Australian Open, an elbow injury, flu, shingles and a miserable build-up to this tournament, all of which makes him vulnerable before his first-round match against Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov. Murray was a beaten finalist last year - not many people are expecting him to make it that far this time.
They’re on Philippe Chatrier third. First up it’s another British hopeful, with Jo Konta taking on Hsieh Su-wei. Konta, the seventh seed, is confident about her chances and will expect to win this one, although she’s never been entirely comfortable on clay.
Once that’s done, Alex Zverev and Fernando Verdasco resume their bout. Play was suspended last night with their match locked at a set apiece. Zverev, conqueror of Novak Djokovic in Rome, is one of the rising stars in the men’s game; another one, Nick Kyrgios, is also in action against Philipp Kohlschreiber and it’s good to see his Aussie chum, Thanasi Kokkinakis back in grand slam action against Kei Nishikori. Of a more vintage flavour is Stan Wawrinka, the 2015 champion. The women’s favourite, Simona Halep, is also on court later. Assuming the weather holds, we’re set for an intriguing day of tennis.
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