Andy Murray trails Radek Stepanek as bad light stops play at Roland Garros


Man in black Andy Murray is walking the line in Paris.

The British world No 2 changed from a white shirt in favour of a gloomier dark number as he went two sets down to Radek Stepanek.

Andy Murray fell two sets behind against Radek Stepanek in their first-round match at the French Open
Andy Murray fell two sets behind against Radek Stepanek in their first-round match at the French Open

By the time play was suspended, he had clawed his way back to within two games of levelling the match, which resumes on Tuesday.

Although Stepanek, 37, played like a man possessed, Murray’s performance was puzzlingly patchy after his recent form.

Perhaps the fall-out from his split with head coach Amelie Mauresmo is affecting him.

Mauresmo last week said Murray’s on-court rants at his team had been a factor in the “mutual” decision to split.

Murray dropped the opening two sets and looked to be in all kinds of trouble in Paris
Murray dropped the opening two sets and looked to be in all kinds of trouble in Paris
The Czech took the first two sets 6-3, 6-3 as he looked to cause an upset
The Czech took the first two sets 6-3, 6-3 as he looked to cause an upset

But Murray hit back, saying: “You never want to upset anyone when you’re on court, but this happens in all sports.

“It’s tough. It’s not always easy and perfect all of the time.”

Murray was back to his sweary old self against the inspired Czech though.

He received a warning from the umpire for an audible obscenity after Stepanek won the seventh game of the second set.

Murray will resume on Tuesday trailing two sets to one but with an advantage in the fourth
Murray will resume on Tuesday trailing two sets to one but with an advantage in the fourth

But he fought back and will fancy his chances in a one-set shootout with the score at 6-3 6-3 0-6 2-4 in Stepanek’s favour.

Britain does have one man into the second round after Kyle Edmund beat Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili 7-6 6-7 7-5 6-1.


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