After defeating Gasquet in a thrilling five-setter yesterday, Murray says he drew inspiration from his epic Wimbledon clash against the frenchman two years ago
After defeating Gasquet in a thrilling five-setter yesterday, Murray says he drew inspiration from his epic Wimbledon clash against the frenchman two years ago
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Andy Murray yesterday revealed he had taken inspiration from his epic Wimbledon fightback against Richard Gasquet two years ago after producing a repeat performance in their French Open first-round clash.
Murray's nightmare draw looked like living up to its billing when Gasquet led by two sets and a break on Suzanne Lenglen Court yesterday.
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| Brit Andy Murray heaves a sigh of relief after beating Frenchman Richard Gasquet 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 in Round One of the French Open yesterday. PIC/GETTY IMAGES |
But, as in their last meeting in the fourth round at SW19 almost two years ago, the infamously fragile Frenchman suffered a spectacular collapse as fourth seed Murray won 4-6, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 in four hours and four minutes.
Murray said: "It's obviously not the best position to be in, but it does help when you've come back against him in the past from a similar situation.
"I wasn't returning well and that was the one big, big change in my game from that point onwards. I started making a lot more, something I'm going to make sure I do well for the remainder of the tournament if I want to go deep.
"I lost my serve three or four times today in a five-set match and I hadn't broken serve for two-and-a-half sets, which wasn't great."
Once Murray did finally break Gasquet in the third set, he was able to do so almost at will as the Frenchman surrendered his serve on six more occasions.
Murray's fellow 23-year-old began to tire and had treatment on the left leg injury he suffered winning his first ATP tournament for three years in Nice on Saturday.
Gasquet was desperate not to play so soon after what was his 10th straight win but his pleas to get yesterday's match postponed fell on deaf ears.
Had it been moved, it could have meant the victor having to play twice in two days at some point in the tournament.
Murray had little sympathy for his opponent's plight, saying: "I like Richard a lot but I think that's not a valid excuse at all.
"They moved the finals of the tournaments the week before the slams to Saturday.
"If the guys have to play on Monday then they have to do that.
"It's one of the reasons why none of the higher-ranked players play the week before.
"You're bound to be tired, but I don't see why I should have to be punished by having to play two days in a row if we move to Tuesday and we have the same match like we did today.
"By the time I'm actually leaving here, it's after 10 o'clock."
The match itself also was not without controversy, with Murray complaining bitterly to Carlos Ramos after losing the second set that Gasquet was holding up play. "Every single game in the match bar one, he's stopped me when I'm ready," he said and added: "Not one service game in the first two sets did I serve when I was ready.
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