Murray: I’m likely to be set for SW19
Scot all ready to carry on the big comeback against his last victim
ANDY MURRAY said he is “most likely” to play Wimbledon next week after being drawn against the last man that he beat at SW19.
The former world No.1 has only played three competitive matches since hip surgery in January – and said after losing in Eastbourne he said he would only play if could do himself justice.
But after two hours practice at the All England Club yesterday, the double Olympic champion was confident of facing world No.48 Benoit Paire of France on Tuesday.
World No.156 Murray said: “I feel all right – not much different from the last couple of days.
“Am I going to play? I think most likely yes. I will chat to my team this afternoon and also see in the next couple BY NEIL McLEMAN of days. I will be playing sets and stuff. But most likely yes.
“The thing is I don’t know every single day how things are going to be. I need to play it a little bit by ear.
“I can’t predict how I am going to feel in two days but if I feel like I do today in a couple of days I will be playing providing there are no setbacks.”
Bearded Paire is French tennis’s answer to Eric Cantona – and declared after losing here in 2014: “I hate Wimbledon and I’m glad to leave as soon as possible.”
He was thrown out of the France Olympic team in Rio and filmed himself driving home at 203kmh last week after blowing two match points against Roger Federer at Halle.
Murray beat him in the fourth round at SW19 last year despite the Scot’s dodgy hip only for Paire to declare he was running around like “a rabbit”.
Murray, who lost in the quarter-finals last year, said: “I guess I could have played one of the top players in the world. At this stage where I am at playing Paire in the first round is tricky for me.
“He is a very talented guy. He is awkward to play against. It’s a tough first round.”
Paire played an exhibition match at The Boodles today and lost 6-2 7-6 (5) to US ace Sam Querrey.
The Frenchman said: “Of course it’s unlucky to play against Murray in a Wimbledon first round. But I’m not seeded so I knew I could play anybody.
“It will be a tough match, he beat me last year. If he comes on court it’s because he’s 100 per cent. So it will be tough but with the confidence of last week – I had two match points against Federer, so I know I can beat him.
“But it will be a tough match for sure.
“Yeah it’s extra motivation. The bad thing is that it’s in the first round this year but it is extra motivation and you never know,
“I have a lot of confidence and a lot of things have changed since last year.
“He has played only three matches so it will be tough for him but, tough for me too. And if I can win I will be really, really happy.”
Murray’s next opponents would not get easier, with either No.26 seed Denis Shapovalov or in-form Jeremy Chardy in the second round – then it could be No.5 seed Juan Martin del Potro in round three.
Murray’s practice session on Court 14 was interrupted yesterday when an official asked his coach Jamie Delgado to change his shirt – then made him turn the replacement inside out because the sponsor’s logo was too big.
ANDY MURRAY
The Scot added: “Sorry about him – he should know better!”
British No.1 Kyle Edmund will face Aussie world No.105 Alex Bolt in the first round – and could play Novak Djokovic in round three.
I feel all right. If I feel like I do today in a couple of days I will be playing