Murray’s health woes give Kuznetsov hope ahead of opening clash

Andy Murray’s first-round opponent – the Russian world No73 Andrey Kuznetsov – says he will be happy with any circumstances that earn him a win this afternoon, even if he should need a little help from his opponent’s catalogue of health problems.

Asked yesterday whether he was aware of Murray’s recent chest infection, Kuznetsov replied: “I did not hear about it. But everybody always has something. I’m sure that he will compete tomorrow 100 per cent. If in the middle of the match he will retire, I will just be happy.”

Should Murray maintain the ineffectual form seen in Madrid and Rome, Kuznetsov may not need to fall back – like the humans in War of the Worlds – on the assistance of micro-organisms. Compare their clay-court records this season, and the underdog leads the world No1 by five wins to four, including a run to the semi-final of Geneva last week.

This year, Murray has contracted shingles, torn a tendon in his right elbow and suffered at least two bouts of flu. This may help to explain why his win-loss record of 16-7 is the worst for a world No1 since Pete Sampras in 1999.

He is fortunate, however, that his nearest rival, Novak Djokovic, has also stuttered. Thanks to a relatively even distribution of points among the rest of the top five, the earliest that Murray can be deposed from the top spot would be on the Monday after the Wimbledon final.

Kuznetsov did at least pick up a set when these two met for the first time, at the US Open three years ago. But Beijing in October was a different story. Murray was then bowling opponents out of his way like skittles on his rush towards the top of the rankings ladder, and he conceded only three games.

“In Beijing Andy was playing very good and he was on fire, beating everybody,” said Kuznetsov, who will get his latest shot at around 1pm BST on Court Philippe Chatrier. “It was not easy to compete against him. But if you maybe see the results he showed on clay [in 2017], maybe it’s not his best.

“A few guys, like [Borna] Coric, for example, beat him in Madrid. It shows that it’s possible to beat him. But, of course, I understand that the big guys are preparing for the big tournaments to play good here, so maybe it was part of the plan. Also the first rounds of the big tournaments, maybe also they need some time to find rhythm and so on.

“For me it’s a good experience to play against a world No 1. If I win, I will be a hero. If I lose, nobody will be surprised. Nothing to lose for me.”