Murray makes most of del Potro’s errors
paris» Juan Martin del Potro frittered away four chances to claim a gripping opening set against No. 1 Andy Murray at the French Open, including one with a double-fault in a tiebreaker.
Then, on Murray’s third set point, del Potro made another mistake, pushing one of his intimidating forehands wide. After walking up to check the ball’s mark on the clay — a line judge and the chair umpire confirmed it was out — del Potro leaned forward on the net, head bowed, the picture of despair.
Eventually, del Potro’s first appearance since 2012 at Roland Garros was over with a 7-6 (8), 7-5, 6-0 loss to Murray in the third round.
“Too much frustration,” said del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, “I couldn’t believe I lost that set.”
Neither, really, could Murray, who noticed how crestfallen his opponent was after that vital set. It lasted nearly 1½ hours, filled with extended rallies and terrific shotmaking.
“Look,” Murray said, “regardless of how someone reacts, necessarily, you still have to expect that they are going to come out and start the (next) set strong.”
But under a cloud-filled sky at Court Philippe Chatrier, Murray was looking more and more like the topranked player that he is.
“I’m starting to feel better,” Murray said. “I had struggled the last six or seven weeks coming in.”
The 2015 champion in Paris, Stan Wawrinka, joined Murray in the fourth round, a 7-6 (2), 6-0, 6-2 winner against 28th-seeded Fabio Fognini. Next for Wawrinka: No. 15 Gael Monfils or No. 24 Richard Gasquet, a pair of Frenchmen whose match was suspended in the first set Saturday because of rain that washed out evening play.
Victories by Alize Cornet and Caroline Garcia gave France three women in the fourth round of the French Open for the first time since 1994 (Kristina Mladenovic advanced Friday). Also into the fourth round: 2014 runner-up Simona Halep and former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki. Four women’s matches didn’t begin before the wet weather.