Murray gets French Open campaign underway on day two
Published:
Rain ensured the opening day’s play at the French Open was cut short, meaning the second at Roland Garros will see a bumper schedule of matches.
The likes of Brit Heather Watson and Japan’s Kei Nishikori will have their contests to settle after being halted by the wet weather in France, while a number of big names also get their pursuit of the clay Grand Slam underway.
Among them is Andy Murray, who takes on Radek Stepanek on the Philippe-Chatrier Court and is heavily fancied at 1/66 to win with Ladbrokes.
The Scot has played the 37-year-old journeyman eight times over the course of his career, winning six of those. He has triumphed on both occasions he has faced the Czech on clay, including in the Madrid Masters earlier this year.
Defending men’s champion Stan Wawrinka, Nishikori and women’s number-two seed Agnieszka Radwanska all take to the clay before Murray though, so the world number two may have a bit of a wait on his hands before getting into action.
On the Suzanne-Lenglen Court, Garbine Muguruza and Ana Ivanovic are the main attractions, with the former kicking things off against Anna Schmiedlova and the latter rounding off the schedule against Oceane Dodin. Both are odds-on favourites at 1/25 and 1/6 respectively.
Watson will resume her match against American Nicole Gibbs in a spot of bother. The Guernsey girl is a break down in the third set and trails 40-30 on Gibbs’ serve in the fourth game. Ladbrokes give her an 11/8 chance to mount a comeback.
Nishikori has less to worry about, leading two-sets-to-love against his opponent Simone Bolelli and surely certain to wrap-up a straight-sets victory to move into the second round.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
