Murray was competing at Roland-Garros for only the second time in the last seven years, while Wawrinka not only overcame the challenge posed by the Briton to reach the second round.
A break of serve in the first game and a subsequent hold helped Wawrinka win the first set (although he recovered skillfully from a 15–40 deficit in the fourth game). According to reports from Roland Garros, something similar happened in the second set, when the three-time major winner was tied at 1-1 and looking strong in his service game.
When Wawrinka was leading 6–4, 5–3, the match changed direction, as an eagle eye may have seen him extend his right leg to the back of the court. However, after two games, they regained the lead and took a two-set lead at 0–30.
But as set three began, it was Murray's turn to have a physical struggle with his lower body after Wawrinka left the court for a medical timeout. His first-serve pace slowed, and he more than once stood face down at the end of baseline rallies. It all added up to a quick start for Wawrinka in the deciding game, as the 39-year-old earned two quick service breaks and advanced to the second round.
“As the years go by, you have to be disciplined, you have to make sacrifices, but the reason why we do it is to be out here in front of the public, with the huge support we get, because it creates a lot of emotions. " Has been there for everyone.
"I also get a lot of emotions from it, and it also gives me the courage to move forward. I'm the oldest in the draw, but I'm still very young at heart. Just want to keep playing: it's as simple as that , the 39-year-old Swiss said after the victory.
Wawrinka will next face Murray's fellow British No. 32 seeds Cameron Norrie and Pavel Kotov.
- BC/
A break of serve in the first game and a subsequent hold helped Wawrinka win the first set (although he recovered skillfully from a 15–40 deficit in the fourth game). According to reports from Roland Garros, something similar happened in the second set, when the three-time major winner was tied at 1-1 and looking strong in his service game.
When Wawrinka was leading 6–4, 5–3, the match changed direction, as an eagle eye may have seen him extend his right leg to the back of the court. However, after two games, they regained the lead and took a two-set lead at 0–30.
But as set three began, it was Murray's turn to have a physical struggle with his lower body after Wawrinka left the court for a medical timeout. His first-serve pace slowed, and he more than once stood face down at the end of baseline rallies. It all added up to a quick start for Wawrinka in the deciding game, as the 39-year-old earned two quick service breaks and advanced to the second round.
“As the years go by, you have to be disciplined, you have to make sacrifices, but the reason why we do it is to be out here in front of the public, with the huge support we get, because it creates a lot of emotions. " Has been there for everyone.
"I also get a lot of emotions from it, and it also gives me the courage to move forward. I'm the oldest in the draw, but I'm still very young at heart. Just want to keep playing: it's as simple as that , the 39-year-old Swiss said after the victory.
Wawrinka will next face Murray's fellow British No. 32 seeds Cameron Norrie and Pavel Kotov.
- BC/
