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Rained Off


Umbrellas were out at the French Open this Saturday

 

Brit Watch

It was a bitter-sweet day for the British players at the French Open – Andy Murray beat Juan Martin del Potro but Kyle Edmund failed to make the last 16. Murray and Del Potro last met in the final of the Rio 2016 Olympics and the contest on Saturday was equally as exhausting. After 83 minutes, and one set down, Del Potro bent over to lean onto the net, staring at the clay before flinging his water bottle onto the ground and burying his face in his towel.

From the Argentine’s body language, he knew at the end of the first set that the match was Murray’s for the taking. Hampered by a groin injury and the longstanding issue he has with his wrist, Del Potro failed to keep his composure and double-faulted on set point.

“Too much frustration,” said Del Potro after the game. “I couldn’t believe that I lost that set, because I had many opportunities to win. I have been playing great, great points during whole, the first set.”

Along with Murray, Stan Wawrinka secured his place in the last 16 of the French Open, beating Fabio Fognini 7-6(2) 6-0 6-2.

 

Edmund Out

Kyle Edmund roared with distress having lost in five sets to Kevin Anderson, 6-7(6) 7-6(4) 5-7 6-1 6-4.

The British No.2 twice led the match but struggled to hold form against a 6’8” Anderson. Edmund saved an incredible 12 out of 15 break points and has had an arguably more successful tournament than Murray, impressing the fans and commentators alike – and he certainly didn’t go down without a fight.

 

French-Off

Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet faced each other on court for the second time this year. In a titillating match to please the French fans, Monfils led the first set 6-5 on serve before the rain started to fall and play was suspended.

Gasquet, ailed by a back injury, will be no doubt relieved to have the evening to rest-up before commencing a second set.

This was the 14th meeting for the two players, and the last time they met on clay, in 2011, Monfils was victor.

This all-French affair also marks a milestone in each player’s tennis career – Gasquet is bidding to become the fourth Frenchman to reach 100 Grand Slam match-wins and Monfils is aiming to claim his 88th Grand Slam win.

 


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.