Andy Murray ponders how to overcome giant Ivo Karlovic and his terrifying serve in quick fashion at French Open
Briton hopes to see off giant Karlovic in straight sets as the French Open third round gets underway at Roland Garros on Friday
Andy Murray will be hoping he can see off giant Ivo Karlovic in straight sets as the French Open third round gets underway at Roland Garros on Friday having battled hard to get through his first two rounds.
I need to go and rest, it’s been a tough few days. To go far in the tournament you can’t play too many matches like this
The second-seed, seeking a first tournament win in Paris to go with his 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon wins, has spent on court a total of 7 hours 15 minutes spread over two five-setters against Czech veteran Radek Stepanek and French wildcard Mathias Bourgue.
“I need to go and rest, it’s been a tough few days. To go far in the tournament you can’t play too many matches like this,” Murray said after his win over Bourgue.
It might not be that easy against Karlovic, the tallest player on the tour, known for playing marathon sets that very often go to tie-breakers.
At 37 he is the oldest player to reach the third round in Paris since Jimmy Connors in 1991.
Defending champion Stan Wawrinka has also been in the wars, needing five tough sets to defeat Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic in a first round escape.